Artists Helping The Homeless

THE MISSION OF ARTISTS HELPING THE HOMELESS IS TO REDUCE THE NEED AND COST OF CARE FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING AID WITH RESPECT; ADDRESSING UNDERLYING ISSUES; PROVIDING ADVOCACY FOR THOSE IN NEED; WORKING WITH, RATHER THAN DUPLICATING EXISTING SERVICES; AND RAISING AWARENESS OF HOMELESS ISSUES.

AHH ASSISTED 1,360 PEOPLE FROM ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES' HOMELESS POPULATIONS WITH A VARIETY OF SERVICES. AS THE PANDEMIC EBBED AND SURGED IN 2021, GAP SERVICES (RIDES, ASSISTANCE TO OTHER THAN REFERRALS, ETC) WAS LIMITED IN ORDER TO PROTECT BOTH CLIENTS AND STAFF. THE TWO MEAL PROGRAMS ARE AN INTEGRAL OUTREACH TOOL ALLOWING AHH TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH THE TARGET POPULATION WHILE BUILDING TRUST WITH AN OTHERWISE UNTRUSTING POPULATION. MEALS CONTINUED TO BE SERVED IN A MIDTOWN PARK TO 30-100 PEOPLE ON SUNDAY NIGHTS. AS PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS EASED, OUTSIDE GROUPS RETURNED TO PROVIDING MEALS. THE THURSDAY MEAL AT OLATHE'S CENTER OF GRACE CONTINUED AS A TAKE-OUT BOXED MEAL DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. DISCHARGE PLANNING SERVICES ALSO EBBED AND FLOWED AS SAFETY NET AGENCIES TIGHTENED AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) LOOSENED PROTOCOLS. AT TIMES, PROTOCOLS REQUIRED NEEDS ASSESSMENTS TO BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY, REDUCED CAPACITY AT SAFETY NET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CLOSED OR LIMITED AVAILABLE HOUSING. FOR EXAMPLE, AHH UTILIZES HARBOR LIGHTS TO HOUSE INDIVIDUALS UNTIL LONGER TERM PLACEMENT CAN BE MADE. IN 2021, HARBOR LIGHTS HOUSED ABOUT HALF THE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS. THE SHELTER IN PLACE PROGRAM FILLED SOME OF THE GAP. AHH CONTINUED TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, ASSIST WITH IDS, MEDICATION AND OTHER THINGS NEEDED FOR ADMISSION AND FOLLOWED UP WITH PLACEMENTS TO ASSURE THE PROGRAMS WERE A GOOD FIT AND TO ADJUST PLANS AS PEOPLE PROGRESSED. THE RESIDENTAL RECOVERY PROGRAMS ALSO EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN RESIDENTS, BUT NOT OCCUPANCY, AS THE STAYS LENGTHENED WITH FEWER OPTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC. THE RESPITE HOUSES POSTED OCCUPANCY RATES, OF 95% WHILE HOUSING 135 MEN. THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE FACILITIES IS TO PROVIDE A CLEAN/SOBER ENVIRONMENT FOR MEN IN RECOVERY TO FOCUS ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN LIFE, MAKE AND BEGIN TO EXECUTE THOSE PLANS. FREQUENTLY, LEGAL, MEDICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES MUST BE ADDRESSED. RESIDENTS ATTEND RECOVERY MEETINGS, ALL COURT MANDATED MEETINGS, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, GROUP COUNSELING, AND COPING SKILLS SESSIONS. THEY ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO A ROBUST MENU OF WRAP-AROUND SERVICES, INCLUDING AN ON-SITE MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINIC (DENTAL SERVICES SUSPENDED DURING THE PANDEMIC) STAFFED BY WORLD HEALTH FOUNDATION PROFESSIONALS, PHYSICAL FITNESS ACTIVITIES, EDUCATION/JOB TRAINING CLASSES, SOCIAL REINTEGRATION ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS LEGAL, COUNSELING, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS. IN KANSAS CITY, 90% OF THOSE LEAVING THE RESPITE HOUSE WENT ON TO THEIR OWN PLACE/FAMILY, AHH ACCOUNTABLE LIVING FACILITIES, TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITIES OR ANOTHER STEP IN THEIR RECOVERY. THE DOUGLAS COUNTY PROGRAM WHICH IS PRIMARILY RE-ENTRY REFERRALS POSTED AN 83% RATE. AHH ACCOUNTABLE LIVING FACILITIES WERE HOME TO 55 MEN, ALMOST ALL FORMER RESPITE HOUSE RESIDENTS. IN KANSAS CITY, 90% MOVED ON TO INDEPENDENT LIVING WHILE 10% RETURNED TO A MORE STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT AT THE RESPITE HOUSE. OPENED IN JULY, THE DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSE POSTED A SIMILIAR SUCCESS RATE. ACCOUNTABLE LIVING FACILITIES ALLOW RESIDENTS TO BUILD RESOURCES, PEER SUPPORT AND LEGAL, RENTAL AND CREDIT HISTORIES THAT OFTEN LIMIT JOB AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. RESIDENTS OF THESE FACILITIES TYPICALLY HAVE JOBS AND PAY RENT AS PART OF A FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.