Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, a local overnight shelter and homelessness ministry, has changed its policies regarding length of stay at the shelter. Rumors abounded about whether the Ministry was going to stay open at all, how long a person could stay, whether a client had to work or not, and more. In attempt to set the record straight, The Street Sentinel asked Rev. Micheal Woods, director of the WCRM questions concerning the “plan.”
Can you describe for us, in a nutshell, what the policy change concerning long-term care is?
In the past WCRM had a 90-day limit on the amount of time a client could stay overnight. Over the years this policy would flex with the weather situation, and in the past year with heightened sensitivity about the overall economic situation we had again been more lenient about length of stay. We even added overflow mats to accommodate the heightened numbers that we have experienced in recent months.
The new policy in a nutshell is:
“We are committed to helping those clients that are trying to help themselves and also we are committed to helping those who can not help themselves.”
We are glad to share information about the long-term stay policy. However, we do want to make sure we clarify that each person who comes for overnight emergency shelter will be served. We will now offer 3-day emergency bed without a plan. Each person staying the night participates in a lottery to determine who will receive a bed or an overflow mat for the night. We feel this is the fairest way to serve each person. This also makes sure that clients are not encouraged to come to the Ministry early and stand around during work hours to secure a bed when they could be looking for employment or seeking services.
If someone does need to stay longer than 3 days, we expect him or her to develop and show progress toward a personal growth plan, and share it with a Ministry staff member. A personal growth plan is simply a set of steps that a client plans to work through to help them move from the streets to a more stable lifestyle. We are willing to assist clients with developing a plan. A plan does not always require employment. It must be a plan that is measurable, and accountable and is going towards something productive. This has been very successful; we are working with case mangers, employers, parole officers and the courts to help our clients succeed with their plans.
How did WCRM come to see this as a necessary part of your ministry and its policies?
For years we have seen rescue ministry as just providing Food Shelter and Clothing to any and everyone. We have realized after spending much time in prayer concerning the direction of the ministry that, although we love people very much and continue to show them love, that by just providing these things on an ongoing basis without helping them move further in life, we were hurting more than we were helping. By just providing the basics we were helping to create a sub culture in Asheville and making life in that sub culture livable. We believe that everyone is created in the image and likeness of God. (Gen 1:27) So God has put in us the same creative ability that He has and uses everyday. We believe that God has a purpose and plan for each and every one of us according to (Jeremiah 29:11). We also know that God’s purpose for us began long before we were born. (Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:4-11) So we believe that it was never the will of God for anyone to have to be homeless or in poverty. GOD is a good GOD. We realize that things happen and no one wants to be homeless, so God has placed us here to show His Love and to see people the way He sees them. God only wants the best for each person that is why He sent His son Jesus to redeem mankind. Because of the fall of mankind in Gen. 3, man needs restoring to the way God intended man to live. We only want the best for our clients. That is the reason we are willing to help those that want help and those that can’t help themselves. Some may say that we are only willing to offer help our way. The truth is this we believe that God loves each person. We are going to do it the way God has instructed us to do it. Some people will accept the help some will not. That is their choice. We will not discriminate on who gets help, but we are sure that some people will choose to go somewhere else. We believe that we are faced with decisions everyday. We must make choices and live with the results of those choices. We are throwing out a lifeline. Some will grab it and others will choose to do it their own way.
We have been developing the concept of a “working bed” program for working clients to incentivize returning to the marketplace for well over a year. Ever since helping nearly 100 of our clients find employment in late 2007 we have had a greater sensitivity of incentivizing clients who are working a plan
When will the policy go into effect?
The policy was adopted shortly after the first of the year.
What constitutes “a plan”?
Certainly each plan will be different, but common elements include items like: work with county services, apply for housing, apply for jobs each week, work day labor when available, reconnect with family who might help, apply for disability, or maybe even volunteer somewhere until finding a job.
Will the mission offer assistance in helping people develop their plans?
Absolutely. When a client meets with a Ministry staff member, and the client’s plan seems incomplete, our staff member will suggest “next steps” that would suit that person. We understand each person’s plan will be personalized to some degree, so we will also be sure to listen to a client’s background, abilities, and dreams to help them develop their plan.
One of the persistent rumors is that if you don’t have a job as part of your plan, your plan is rejected. Is employment a required part of a person’s plan?
NO.
Employment – or the pursuit of employment – is part of being a contributing citizen and is a mark of being a responsible person, we do expect a person to be working or pursuing a job if possible. If someone has applied for disability and has documented proof of that disability, we ask to see record to document that a person cannot or should not work. We know a number of our clients have physical or mental infirmities that keep them from working, and we are on the record of always wanting to, “help those who cannot help themselves.” All others should expect to be expected to work.
The pursuit of more out of life is the only requirement, we are willing to help people that want help and are willing and capable of helping themselves.
Do plans have to include a time frame for completing their goals? What happens if a person doesn’t meet their planned goals within a certain time?
Yes, good goals have timelines attached – that’s just part of being responsible. A plan without a timeline is just a wish list. Will there be times that a client cannot fulfill their goal within the stated timeframe? Sure. But if they are making an effort and doing all that they can, we will work with them. A client cannot control when an agency processes their paperwork, and in this economy a job applicant cannot predict exactly when a job opportunity will open up. What a client can control is what they will be held accountable to accomplish.
How does someone present their plan to the Ministry? How are the plans evaluated?
A client simply schedules an appointment with a Ministry staff member. The plan is shared in a one-on-one conversational interview. It is most helpful if a client has their plan written down. We will help them put their plan in a simple written form so they can have it with them and share it with others.
If a plan is accepted, will the Mission help people to achieve goals listed in the plan?
To the extent of our abilities, we will help clients. We regularly write letters of recommendation (for those we know well enough) and confirmations of residence. We also refer to other service providers, making calls to other providers to help clients get the help they need. We have formed relationships with the business community over the last 29 years and we are willing to use the good will that we have in the community to help our clients. Also we have relationships with hundreds of church’s that are willing to help us help people.
How, if at all, with the change affect the over-flow lottery or daily assistance?
The lottery will remain unchanged, however we will soon begin a job-training program called “Overcomers.” When this class begins, we will set aside a number of beds that will not be included in the lottery system. These beds, and a place for daytime storage, will be reserved for clients enrolled in the training program. Participants will apply and interview for this quarterly program, which will be built upon class work, community projects, self-evaluation, workplace readiness training, and a working internship.
Are there any particular rumors, accusations or comments that you’ve heard that you’d like to quell, address or clarify?
Someone recently told me that word on the street was that the Ministry was closing. That is patently untrue. We have been serving the homeless, poor, and addicted since 1981, and we have no plan or intention to stop.
Anything else that you’d like to add about the policy change or about Western Carolina Rescue Ministries in general?
I do want to thank you for providing this forum and for asking such clear questions. We believe in the potential of each of our clients. We want to help them to aspire to and achieve wonderful dreams.
