Artists Helping The Homeless

Programs: The be the change program is a true collabration of widely diverse organizations that improves the collective impact of kansas city's homeless services saftey net. The three key elements are intensive street outreach, dynamic case management and continuum support. The program's unique client-centered approach maintains consistency, support and engagement as clients move from agency to agency. In 2017, over 2,600 homeless received services ranging from a ride to a medical, legal or housing appointment to intensive individualized assistance. Removing barriers to service and facilitating recovery and housing reduces the reliance of the homeless, especially the chronic homeless, on local emergency services. As a result, these community services have saved millions of dollars. Housing is provided at bodhi house and finnegan place to clients of the program who are in jeopardy of returning to the street or relapsing. Both facilities are tools of the be the change program. Residents are required to abstain from use of drugs or alcohol, meet with case workers and execute recovery and reintegration plans. Bodhi house is a respite residence for chronic homeless and alienated young adult men in the intial stages of getting off the street. Bodhi house meets an individual's basic needs in order for them to focus on developing and implementing a recovery plan. It also fills gaps when clients encounter delays in being admitted to other programs. Case workers from ahh and referring agencies assist in planning and provide wrap around services. Residents are expected to attend aa/na meetings and participate in social reintegration, physical fitness, community service,group counseling and coping skills activities. In 2017, 109 men resided at bodhi house on 140 occasions with 89% of departures going to housing, a recovery or other program. Finnegan place provides apartments in a clean/sober environment with peer support to clients in the final stages of reintegration. Residents are expected to be employed and pay rent, attend aa/na, legal,medical and case manager meetings, and participate in be the change program activities offered at bodhi house, if not in conflict with work or school schedules. The be the change program assists residents with transportation, work clothing and tools as well as basic needs when necessary. If a resident relapses, they can continue to participate in the be the change program, but not reside at finnegan place. In 2017, 66 people resided at finnegan place on 72 occasions with 34 moving directly from bodhi house. At yearend, 22 clients resided at finnegan place. Of the departures 38 (76%) were to other residences or programs. Another 7 (14%) were back to the more structured bodhi house.