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Getting Started

Getting Started. February 2012. Background. Noah Laracy, age 38, born and raised in Connecticut Writer, run a small web company Applying to PsyD programs in Clinical psychology Worked on Obama campaign – only outreach experience Strong intellectual interest A sober person `.

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Getting Started

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  1. Getting Started February 2012

  2. Background • Noah Laracy, age 38, born and raised in Connecticut • Writer, run a small web company • Applying to PsyD programs in Clinical psychology • Worked on Obama campaign – only outreach experience • Strong intellectual interest • A sober person `

  3. How I Got Involved • Read about Common Ground in William Vollmann’s article on homelessness in Sacramento • Read another article a week later in Good Magazine • Volunteered at the Midnight Mission doing lunch service • Wanted to do more – get more hands-on • Met with Beth Sandor, then with Leslie and Richie

  4. Training • Understanding the housing first model • Pasadena outreach – Three mornings, 4-6AM, led a team • Attended session on motivational interviewing • Richie – Americore Volunteer who had been on the job for 8 months. • Worked closely with Richie for six weeks – taste of success

  5. Safety • Don’t carry money on me – therefore I don’t have to lie • ID Card – Who am I? Credentials. • Title – Outreach worker. • Place to park – also your mobile office. • Where do I go to the bathroom? • Goals for the day • Mindfulness • Flu shot a good idea

  6. What My Week Looks Like • 10 Hours A Week • 2 four hour sessions in the field • Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:30-12:30 • 1 hour of phone calls • 1 hour for paperwork • Consistent presence – like a doctor doing rounds

  7. Case #1 – Linda

  8. Case #1 – Linda • Living in the Union Mission • Homeless for four years • Some Mental Health Issues • Highly motivated • Opening due to death of resident • Housed in three weeks

  9. Case #2 – Earl

  10. Case #2 - Earl • Homeless since 1979 • No birth certificate, refused to go to doctor • Schizophrenic • Moving in in two weeks • Housed in six months

  11. Challenges • Dealing With Fear – My experience in Gladys Park • Boundaries – Saying no when necessary. • Rejection – Not everyone wants housing. • Drunk/High clients – What to do? • Entitlement – Complaints about housing, time, etc.

  12. Lessons Learned • Trust is number one • Keep focus on housing first • Quality not quantity • Don’t overpromise • Focus on what you can control • Consistency over urgency • Don’t give life advice

  13. Volunteering Ideas • 8-12 month commitment • Need for training and support • Teams are ideal – especially in the beginning • 5-10 people housed • Need for welcoming committee

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