PACEM Seeks Funding to Help Individuals Move beyond Shelters to Independence

Advocacy Sponsorship Provides for Critical One on One Work
PACEM is seeking one or two donors to support one on one advocacy work. The cost of a Guest Advocate is $15,000 to $20,000 over twelve months. With $8K currently secured, two or three sponsorships of $5,000 will allow PACEM to continue advocacy work during the winter shelter season, and next summer after the shelters close.

A Guest Advocate meets with PACEM shelter guests every fourteen days. Sponsorship would underwrite the following steps to help individuals gain independence:
 Obtaining personal identification,
 Connecting with social services,
 Accessing mental health services and substance abuse recovery programs,
 Identifying housing options - including private, public, independent or supportive,
 Creating a simple savings plan for housing deposits.

Leveraging Community Resources
Over the next twelve months there is a significant opportunity to leverage community resources. A Region Ten employee is now offering a mental health recovery program in the Haven, and an Outreach Specialist helps individuals gain entry to residential substance abuse programs. PACEM’s Guest Advocacy can leverage these day-time efforts, and begin to create a community case management system to address the root causes of homelessness.

Maintaining a Strong Community
PACEM’s shelters are a critical part of a city which prices itself on compassion, and a high quality of life. In six years, PACEM has provided more than 30,000 nights of shelter. Guest Advocacy encourages individuals to move on from our shelters as soon as they are able. Advocacy is necessary to ensure our shelters do not need to continually expand.

For more information about PACEM’s Guest Advocacy, please contact Colleen Keller, Executive Director at 434.465.1391 or ED@pacemshelter.org