BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Iredell Homeless Collaborative chair opened the March meeting by reminding members that there is no normal.

“Things are constantly changing, and we have to keep up how we can serve effectively,” said Wendy Martin, Goodwill Project Re-entry coordinator.

Collaborative member Pam Navey said warmer weather is bringing more homeless people onto the streets. In the last two weeks, she helped in four heartbreaking situations, including women with small children without shelter and individuals who have just been released from incarceration with no identification and only a few items in a bag.

In these situations, 10 partners provided assistance. “It took us all coming together, with the resources we had,” said Navey.

She encouraged community members to volunteer a few hours as they can at area agencies to continue the work of helping people in need, including driving people to appointments or to family in nearby cities.

Those looking for volunteer opportunities can visit the United Way “HIVE” page at https://uwiredell.org/volunteer-opportunities/.

Partners representative Jerry Campbell said that QPR (suicide prevention), CPR, and Narcan trainings will be offered at the shelter, motels, and other locations later this year to persons who are homeless to support this at-risk population and enable them to help others in their stresses or struggles.

Terri Blankenship of the EMS Community Response Support Team (CRST) said such trainings are important. Posting information about these trainings in homeless camps, low-cost motels, and the shelters will help get the word out.

Learning what to say and do in crisis situations will help people feel empowered to help others. Blankenship is often in the encampments and sees that the people want to be of service to each other and are worried about those around them.

EMS personnel, she said, see prevalent substance abuse, excessive alcohol use, and overdoses in its calls, and the team spends much of its time in the encampments dealing with these issues and also working with those who were recently incarcerated and dealing with substance misuse.

The CRST team keeps backpacks with snacks and supplies, sleeping bags, tents, and Narcan with them to give out and also offers a medically assisted treatment (MAT) bridge program until the individual can get into regular treatment.

Blankenship said the recent demand for tents and sleeping bags has outstripped supplies “more than I’ve ever seen here, and that’s pretty telling.” In the past they gave out about two dozen tents per year; now they give out 60-70 annually.

Tents, blankets, sleeping bags, sunscreen, and bug spray donations would be welcome if people want to contribute, added Blankenship (terri.blankenship@iredellcountync.gov).

Blankenship said these planned trainings could also be a catalyst to other self-help and skill building training offerings in the future, such as how to get IDs, manage finances, and apply for Medicaid. Each of the homelessness coalition partners could offer training from their particular assistance angle.

Another need of these folks is transportation to appointments and jobs. Good, used bicycles are always in demand, and if community members have any to donate, they can contact Karen Kidd with the Foundation of Hope Ministries (fohminc1@gmail.com) or Wendy Martin (wmartin@goodwillnwnc.org).

Bikes in need of repair can also be donated to homeless advocate Rob Harris (robharris2@gmail.com), who can get them repaired through a local ministry and then give them to those in need.

UPCOMING EVENTS

On Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, A Servant’s Heart for All People is teaming up with stylists who are offering free haircuts, simple hairstyles, and painting fingernails at the Christian Outreach of the Piedmont (1424 Rickert Street in Statesville).

On Thursday, April 11, Partners is holding a landlord informational event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mooresville United Way office (404 N. Main Street) to help find homes for the housing insecure and unsheltered. Lunch and prizes will be provided.

The Goodwill Spring Forward Resource Fair and Hiring Event is on May 1 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Workforce Development Center at 124 Fourth Crescent Place in Statesville. Multiple employers from a range of industries plus community nonprofits sharing resources and job opportunities will be present.

Prospective employees attending the event should bring resumes and proof of any completed certifications. They should also dress for success and be ready to ask questions about job opportunities.

Goodwill invites area businesses to participate in this event to find employees to help grow their businesses and better serve their customers. Goodwill will provide tables and chair, wifi, snacks, coffee, and water.

If you are interested in being a partner or employer at this event, contact Career Connections Coordinator, Michel Johnston, at mjohnston@goodwillnwnc.org.

Those needing help to prepare resumes can also contact Johnston for assistance.