On Dec. 18, the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services held its annual memorial for the homeless who died this year with no one else to take charge of their mortal remains.
The same individuals that work with the homeless and vulnerable in SLO towards improving their quality of life, also refused to let the 12 who died this year go un-mourned or forgotten.
Laurel Weir, with the County’s Homeless Services Oversight Council, said they handed out flameless candles to the 35 or so attendees, a higher number present than last year but also a larger number of deaths.
“We want it to be a positive experience,” said Weir, noting that they take the time to focus the community’s attention on what can be done for those in need and the programs that need support. “It was a clear cold day, which reminded us why we were there. We make it a hopeful, forward looking event to help keep this from happening again next year.”
Of the many efforts being made to help those in need get through winter on the Central Coast is the opening of the Prado Day Center as a nighttime warming station on nights when the temperature plummets to freezing or when heavy rain is forecast.
That doesn’t help as much as getting people into permanent housing though, which is why the Transitions Mental Health Association has been spearheading a drive to get the 50 most vulnerable people they could find into subsidized housing.
Nicole Holst with County Social Services explained the process for finding the most vulnerable, which included coming up with a survey and vulnerability index through which 304 people were recommended to take part through their contact with various social service organizations and though the SLO Police Department’s community liaison officers with whom Holst rode along to meet some of those in need.
Transition’s Mark Lamour, manager for the “50 Now” program explained that grants and money approved by the County Board of Supervisors has enabled them to craft a $1.9 million program for a 3-year housing and assistance scheme that includes nurses, therapists and case management workers to assist the 50 people given housing vouchers into permanent and sustainable homes. That’s in addition to their other ongoing housing programs that currently have 41 beds throughout the County.
“Funds have loosened up recently,” he said. “We’ve been working for years to get more transitional housing opened up but recently a lot more has come through.”
So, with government coffers a little less restricted in one area, locals are being asked to help out in another. The public outreach component of the 50 Now Project — the “Welcome Home Kit” — drive to get the formerly homeless off on the right foot under their new roofs.
Pre-made kits and individual items are being collected until Jan. 9. Suggested essentials include personal hygiene products, household basics, laundry and kitchenware — toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, lotion, toilet paper, deodorant, paper towels, trash bags, detergent, fabric softener, laundry basket, dryer sheets, roll of quarters, dish soap, sponges, pots, pans, aluminum foil, cling wrap and utensils. In short, non-perishable, non-food items only.
Donations can be dropped off at all SLO County Department of Social Services offices, Transitions-Mental Health Association, Arroyo Grande City Hall and United Way of SLO County. For more information about these efforts see: www.slohomeless.com.
