Oliva’s Post

What a great piece on how we can support those in recovery and End the Stigma!

In my over two decades living in Ireland, I've witnessed firsthand the persistent and complex issue of homelessness, a condition influenced by myriad factors such as mental health, addiction, relationshi breakdowns, and more. Working with an organization dedicated to advocating for the homeless, I am constantly reminded of the resilience and struggles of those we aim to support. Recently, I was deeply moved during a visit from corporate volunteers, which reignited my passion and reinforced why I embarked on this journey. It was a poignant moment that made me reflect on my own 22-year residency in Ireland, acknowledging that despite progress, much remains to be done. Our organization is committed to not just addressing the immediate needs of the homeless but also to understanding and combating the root causes. We provide holistic support, education, and mental health assistance, ensuring a comprehensive approach to prevention and care. But our work doesn't stop once someone secures housing. We believe in ongoing support, helping individuals navigate their new lives and ensuring they know they are not forgotten. This continuum of care is vital for lasting change and empowerment. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated community employees and engagement teams. Their commitment showcases that every effort, every interaction, is a step toward a better future. Witnessing such collective dedication and hard work reaffirms my belief that we are making a meaningful difference, one life at a time. This experience has strengthened my resolve and my belief in the power of community and compassion. Together, we are working toward a future where homelessness is not an enduring crisis but a challenge we can overcome with empathy, understanding, and collective action. #HomelessnessAdvocacy #CommunitySupport #EmpathyInAction #Ireland.

Relink.org wishes to share an article from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s Homeless and Housing Resource Center, titled, "Low Barrier Shelter: Policies into Practice". From the article: " Low-barrier shelters aim to provide shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness by using a harm reduction approach and removing or diminishing barriers to entry and continued residency. The model is particularly important for people who use drugs because they are often not served by traditional shelter models. " Here is the link to the article: https://buff.ly/3velEcF Relink.org would like you to know that if you or a loved one are in need of housing or shelter, please visit our website, needs.relink.org, to find the help you need.

Emily Halcon sits collecting herself from an emotional recall of why she does this work. “This work” now refers to serving as the Director of Sacramento County’s Department of Homeless Services and Housing. Halcon's work history includes two decades of working to solve a triangle of housing-related crises in Sacramento County: lack of affordable housing, increases in unsheltered homelessness and lack of shelter space to get people off the streets. In the third episode of “County Conversations,” host Kim Nava and Emily Halcon explore the landscape of homelessness in Sacramento County, how it's changed in the last 5-7 years and explain some very common myths and stereotypes we hear every day about people that are unhoused. Listen in to Emily’s thoughts on common myths and stereotypes, such as: 1.“People are homeless on purpose or want to be homeless.” 2.“All homeless people are on drugs or have severe mental health problems.” 3.“Homeless people are so dirty…” 4.“Why don’t homeless just get a job?!” Hear the truth and practical reasons behind some of the most common myths as well as Emily’s thoughts on the current housing crisis, her own connection to the work and what continues to drive her even during the hard times. Learn More https://lnkd.in/gpn4X4B3

142,490 That's the number of children in England who don't have a secure place to call home right now. And it's 19,000 more than this time last year. This is a housing emergency. The effect that homelessness can have on families, and particularly children, is devastating. The overcrowding, noise, social isolation, and stigma that come with living in temporary accommodation can all have severe and long-lasting effects on the mental health of both the children and the adults who are dealing with it. You can read more in the article below, and it's a topic we also explored in this week's blog, which you can read here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTNkhDPi #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #HousingEmergency #YouthMentalHealth

Stable housing is the first step towards stable health. One of the predominant factors causing homelessness as well as health setbacks for many families is domestic violence, as New Destiny Housing Corporation highlights in their recent report, “A Crisis Compounded: The Dual Crises of Domestic Violence and Homelessness”. This #HomelessnessAwarenessMonth, we highlight New Destiny’ work to help stabilize housing and health. In collaboration with the city, New Destiny is providing specialized housing navigation and aftercare services for 100 domestic violence survivors with children living in city shelters. They help survivors secure and better retain housing with health supports. Through the Helmsley-funded aftercare program, survivors are connected to health and mental health services, as well as other important resources in their new neighborhoods. "New Destiny Housing has created the right set of specialists to help families experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence navigate the challenges of finding housing," New York City Program Officer Tracy Perrizo said. "Then in turn, they offer specialized support throughout this transition, allowing them to stabilize their lives.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/epbBGmuy

November is National Homeless Awareness Month. Regardless of what state you live in, there is a Homeless crisis that keeps rising. Many leaders are out clearing Homeless encampents as we speak. Yes, we do PIT counts, and collect data etc. That data comes from those of us out there doing the counts. As a person who has been doing these counts for years, I can assure you we miss a lot of unhoused individuals. Not intentionally, because they are hiding. They are scared. They are sick, needing both physical and mental health treatment. This count also doesn't include those individuals that are referred to Hidden Homeless or couch surfing. We most definitely have a crisis that cannot be ignored. We must work together to bridge the gap in the continuiom of care. We need more services, more shelters, more housing, and committed people to the mission. The stats also show that most unhoused individuals are suffering from untreated physical and mental health along with addiction. We must do better, we must do our part. Take the time to look at your Homeless stats in your community, educate yourself and others. Come together as a community and help as many as we can!

LCMH acknowledges the link between homelessness & mental health challenges. LCMH is dedicated to promoting mental well-being & supporting individuals through their journey towards recovery, we recognize the critical role that stable housing plays in achieving holistic health outcomes. LCMH is committed to providing support to individuals with mental health challenges, recognizing that access to safe & stable housing is fundamental to their recovery journey. We believe that addressing homelessness through a compassionate & holistic lens is essential for fostering community well-being & individual resilience. We are pleased to announce our forthcoming initiative aimed at supporting community members who find themselves homeless, through a wrap-around approach that prioritizes compassion, dignity, & empowerment. This initiative is a significant step forward in our collective efforts to address the intersecting issues of homelessness & mental health within our community. While we're enthusiastic about facilitating this program, it's crucial to recognize that we are still in the early stages. There is significant groundwork ahead, & our priority is to develop the program based on best practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. More info at https://conta.cc/4adI4JX

Homelessness inflicts profound and lasting harm on children, disrupting their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Research consistently demonstrates that children experiencing homelessness are at heightened risk for developmental delays, chronic health conditions, and behavioral problems (National League of Cities, 2024). The instability of homelessness, coupled with exposure to trauma and adversity, can lead to insecure attachments, poor self-esteem, and academic struggles. Furthermore, the lack of stable housing can exacerbate existing health conditions, limit access to healthcare, and increase the likelihood of food insecurity, all of which compound the challenges faced by homeless children.

We support people every day who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. Sadly, we know first-hand that substance use and mental ill-health are common when someone is trying to survive without the security of a home. Whether people are using substances to help them cope with the challenges of sleeping rough or experiencing mental ill-health after losing their home, many of these support needs are rooted in homelessness. Our new report also demonstrates that good data helps local authorities plan the right support so that people can move on with their lives. Visit our website read more about our recommendations on how to improve access to support for those who need it: https://bit.ly/3WO6l5K