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VALLEY RESTART FALL 2007 NEWSLETTER
We would like to invite you to visit our facility and see for yourself how it operates. In this issue of our newsletter, we intend to update you on the operations at VRS. We’ll begin with a review of our client population, which though fluid, reflects our usual situation. Followed by an overview of our take process, we will finish with a snapshot of a family from our current census.
Population: How Many, Who, from Where and for How Long?
The client population at VRS is limited to approximately 35 people. Mostly they are families with children though there may be a few single men or women. Generally, nearly 80% of our clients are from the San Jacinto Valley. Some emergency and usually shorter-term residents are from other communities or even, on occasion, from out of state.In general, stays at VRS last anywhere from overnight to 3 months.
Intake Procedure: Insuring Family and Community Safety
People who apply for emergency shelter services are carefully screened. We are interested in serving people who want to restart/change their lives.
Prospective applicants must possess a photo ID. They cannot be on parole, a fugitive from the law, a sex offender, or have a history of violence. Our number one concern is to insure and maintain a safe environment for our current families. Our second concern to whether we can address the applicant’s needs with our and the community’s resources. Two staff members participate in the intake interview process. We cannot admit people whose needs are greater than we can serve or who would pose a threat to our community.
Usually people who have been in the shelter in the past are not readmitted.
Services We Provide: How Do We Promote Self-Sufficiency?
Our major goal is to help people become self-sufficient. Services we provide to that end are:
- Individual case management to clarify problems and establish goals.
- Training in financial management and life skills, classes in relapse prevention.
- Savings program that requires that 80% of all income is saved in a personal money order by VRS to be reissued when clients are ready for discharge to permanent housing.
Finances: Who Helps Us with What We Need?
Valley Restart is in a constant state of financial stress. It is supported by several sources:
- County, state and federal grants for which we are eligible to apply, such as Emergency Food and Shelter Program grant, Emergency Housing Assistance Program grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and Community Development Block Grants. Unfortunately these grants are sparse.
- The generosity of our donors which include individuals, organizations and businesses in the community whose donations range from $5-$1000 a month. This is what keeps us operating.
Of equal importance, every volunteer hour donated, every meal provided, every package of diapers, roll of toilet paper, bottle of bleach, box of trash bags, gift of blankets, towels, linens, food for the pantry allows us to stretch our funds for mounting electric, gas, water, and fuel bills to name a few. These individual donations are augmented by monthly pledges from 45 faith-based groups and businesses in the community.
We figure that nearly 200 people volunteer monthly to provide the evening meals each month. Volunteers also provide us with repair and maintenance assistance, reception area coverage, case management, donations procurement, resident transportation, yard sale assistance, and various groups facilitation.
The operational expenses are in the order of $18.50 per bed per day.
VRS is clearly a non-profit community service organization. It could not survive without the support of individual and group donations. The Board of Directors, that is 14 volunteer members of the community, cannot adequately express its gratitude to those who view VRS as an organization devoted to improving the human condition of folks facing temporary misfortune.
We could not do what we do without you!!
From a resident:
“My name is Deandra. I am 23 yrs. old with my 9 mo. old baby. I was adopted at the age of 6 and had to learn to be independent at a very young age. I have taught myself skills that a most people learn through parents, friends and family. I have had 23 jobs. Although it might sound bad, it has been a wonderful learning experience. It has taught me self-worth, determination, to never quit, to keep going strong and never let anyone tell you it’s impossible to survive, to not be manipulated in the worldly ways. Although I have fallen a few times, when things get really bad, I remember to find the positive in the negative and take it as a a lesson.
I have lived with many people in my short life, some just a couple of weeks, some just days, some months and some a year or so. This is my third shelter. I believe here is where my real future begins. I am currently enrolled in California Conservation Corp when I move to the transitional housing at March Air Base. I am striving to make my dreams a reality, to be self sufficient and completely independent. It’s been a long, hard journey, but I will never quit and it’s not even close to over.
It’s hard to be completely alone and to make something of yourself, to keep trying and never give up, but you do find angels along the way and these angels I shall never forget and am very thankful for.
I see myself in a few years as a successful young adult, completely financially independent. I believe no matter what struggles life throws at you, you have the choice to teach yourself the right way to take the truth and positive from people and leave the lies and negativity behind. To define yourself as the person you have made, not how others define you. We have the choice and the power to make our lives and who we are, who we let into our lives and who we don’t.”
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