BY DEBBIE PAGE
Pam Navey opened the July meeting of the Iredell Homeless Collaborative by praising the Salvation Army for providing a cooling station during the extreme summer heat.
Lt. April McCormick said the agency is in need of snack items for the effort. Those interested in donating can order from the Salvation Army’s Amazon Wish List.
McCormick also outlined various programs, including a summer camp for children ages 5-12) on Thursdays through July 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch provided.
The nonprofit’s food pantry is open on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will hopefully add a clothes closet by the end of July as well.
FIFTH STREET MINISTRIES
Fifth Street Ministries’ Christmas is Saturday, July 19, at Statesville Montessori School (1012 Harmony Drive in Statesville) from 2 to 6 p.m. The event features music, games, crafts, photos with Santa, refreshments, and a silent auction (available now online at Fifth Street Ministries Silent Auction).
The event is one of Fifth Street’s major fundraisers.
Free tickets to the event are available Here.
Navey reminded coalition members that Fifth Street Ministries homeless shelter accepts people in need from five counties, including Davie, Iredell, Surry, Stokes, and Yadkin counties.
CHILDREN’S HOPE ALLIANCE
Youth and Young Adult Coordinator Emily Fulgham shared information about CHA’s new Healthy Transitions program, designed to support youth and young adults in Iredell County, ages 16 to 25, who have mental health challenges. The program helps them navigate key life transitions, such as finishing high school or college, starting a job, and living independently.
The grant-funded program offers free services to any youth who has a diagnosed mental health issue or is at risk of a diagnosis. The client is assisted through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions to create a plan that works best for each person. The duration of participation is tailored to each individual’s needs and goals.
Additionally, Healthy Transitions can complement existing services and collaborate with current therapists or counselors to ensure a coordinated approach. The program offers peer support, clinical assessment, leadership initiatives, care coordination, and educational and vocational support to those who qualify.
FOUNDATION OF HOPE MINISTRIES
FOH Director Karen Kidd announced a free Community Day event scheduled for Saturday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club at 1001 Cochran Street. The event will feature various vendors and resources.
Kids can enjoy bounce houses, water slides, water games, face painting, arts, and crafts, music, and a free hot dog and burger lunch from Grill 4 God, snow cones, popcorn, cold drinks, and more. Families are asked to bring chairs, umbrellas, and towels. Contact fohminc1@gmail.com.
Other event partners are Statesville Police and Fire Departments, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, Iredell County EMS, and local churches, nonprofits, and community organizations.
Kidd said Foundation of Hope Ministries’ work continues to help area unsheltered people, particularly focusing on individuals who are lethargic and unresponsive on the streets and in need of hydration.
FOH is also distributing NARCAN and items for summer outdoor survival in an increasing number of camps appearing in the area.
Kidd said the Cove Church in Statesville near Walmart continues to provide about 175 meals each week as well as distributing food bags and offering showers by appointment.
Every Tuesday night the church serves a hot meal to the homeless and food insecure in the community from 6 to 7 p.m. Attendees can also shop in the free clothing boutique and receive a bag of non-perishable food and toiletries.
I-CARE
Shelton Moore, Family Support Services director at I-CARE, discussed the funding available for workforce development and educational services and encouraging referrals for individuals who wish to train for careers in CNA, welding, phlebotomy, trucking CDLs, and medical and dental assisting.
He also reminded parents to get applications in for the Head Start program.
Moore noted a shift in employer hiring practices towards staffing agencies and mentioned the agency’s summer youth program that offers work opportunities and skill-building for teens ages 14 and 15. Additionally, he highlighted the NextGen program for young adults ages 16 to 24, which provides similar support.
Contact Moore at shelton.moore@icare-inc.org for more information on these programs.
RESTORATION ROAD MINISTRIES
Rob Harris of Restoration Road Ministries discussed recent developments in the organization’s housing initiatives, including a transition home for men getting underway in September and progress on securing a second house aimed at supporting women in transition.
Harris noted that two individuals, previously deemed ineligible for the Rapid Rehousing program, are being assisted in securing stable housing with unique leasing arrangements with landlords that guarantee RRM will “pick up the pieces” if things go sideways.
The focus remains on helping those in need achieve long-term stability.
“We are working hard to make a difference,” said Harris. “The goal is to get people transitioned into stability.”
He urged agencies with clients who did not qualify for Rapid Rehousing or Back to Home programs to contact him for housing options that fill in these gaps. Those with a high “heart score,” or a high level of adverse experiences, qualify more easily for these programs.
STATESVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Donald Hicks of the Statesville Housing Authority shared updates on housing initiatives, including meetings with an architect regarding planned courtyard homes and the hope to have at least one home operational by the end of the year to assist residents transitioning from the Brookwood Motel.
GOODWILL
Goodwill Reentry Program Coordinator Wendy Martin recounted an interaction with a person requesting money for cans of fly spray, which she refused. She explained that the substance is sometimes misused for getting high, a practice referred to as “wasping.”
Martin emphasized the importance of recognizing this behavior, as it may indicate a broader substance misuse issue within the community.
This abuse problem does not apply to pump spray insect repellent used on the skin.
SOUTHERN FAMILY MEDICINE
Jesse Stroud detailed the services provided by Southern Family Medicine, which include medication-assisted substance use and alcohol treatment, mental health counseling, and Hep C testing. The facility’s focus is on collaborative care for each patient and linking each to any needed community resources.
Stroud clarified that the organization accepts all forms of Medicaid, Medicare, and most major private insurance plans and also has grant and indigent funding available. SFM’s goal is to not turn anyone away who is in need of treatment and assistance.
DACI – IREDELL WALK FOR RECOVERY
Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell Kristin Blumenstein shared details about the 8th Annual Iredell Walk for Recovery, a free and family-friendly event planned for September 27. Sponsorships and vendors spots are still available. For more information, visit Iredell Walk for Recovery.
DACI is also offering “ONEbox,” a mountable or portable box for storing naloxone that also contains three pieces of PPE, a 1-minute bilingual instruction video, a 5-minute training video, and a charging cord.
The ONEbox does not come with Narcan/naloxone, so if kits are needed for the box, let Blumenstein know when placing the order. Contact kristin@daciredell.com to order by July 14.
Additional resources such as medication lockboxes, medicine disposal kits, and fentanyl test strips are also available from DACI.
THE CHRISTIAN MISSION
Scotty Moore, assistant director of The Christian Mission, said the agency offers connections to NC Works and the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children in house, as well as food, clothing, and household items to people in need.
Though a partnership with Second Harvest in Charlotte, TCM distributes between 75,000 to 82,000 pounds of food each month. The majority of that is emergency food assistance.
The average family saves between $100 to $300 per month on food by using the pantry.
UNITED WAY
Sara Helmick from United Way of Iredell County provided updates on 13 housing rehabilitation projects completed in the Mooresville area aimed at making repairs that prevent people from becoming homeless. United Way is next turning to repairing homes chosen in Statesville.
If interested in getting home repair assistance, Helmick can make referrals to various funding streams and organizations that can help. Contact her at shelmick@uwiredell.org.