BY DEBBIE PAGE
During the recent meeting of the Iredell Homeless Collaborative meeting, Pam Navey thanked David Nolen and the Fifth Street Ministries team for their efforts during a recent cold snap, noting that 53 beds were filled over five nights.
Navey also thanked volunteers from Foundation of Hope, Iredell EMS, Restoration Road Ministries, Health Reach, Steve Byrd, and others who supervised the overnight warming shelter.
The shelter is storing the cots, borrowed from the county, through the winter season in case the need arises again.
Through their contacts with these folks, Navey said that some are now open to receiving services, volunteering to help, and accepting employment opportunities.
Point-in-Time Count
Navey also announced that Fifth Street Ministries is working on the annual point-in-time count of homeless people in the community. A point-in-time count is an unduplicated count on a single night of the people in a community who are experiencing homelessness, including both sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations.
Communities receiving federal funds to serve the homeless are required do the survey, which must identify whether a person is an individual, a member of a family unit, or an unaccompanied youth under the age of 18 or age 18 to 24. In addition, surveyors must identify if a person is chronically homeless, which indicates long-time or repeated homelessness and the presence of a disability.
Services for Homeless Community
♦ Steve Byrd mentioned the current unavailability of bikes for donation and the anticipated delay in receiving new ones. Contact Bryd at sbyrd517@gmail.com to donate used bikes for refurbishment and distribution to those in need of transportation to jobs and appointments.
♦ Sandy Tabor-Gray from The Christian Mission discussed their various support services, including scholarships for treatment and transportation assistance, and announced job openings. She also noted the organization’s relocation to a new facility at 919 N Main Street in Mooresville in March.
♦ Rob Harris from Restoration Road Ministries reported on the launch of a new Celebrate Recovery program at Hope Community Church (2068 Shelton Avenue in Statesville) on Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
He also announced that RRM provide 3,308 meals to folks in the community, a number which he hopes to grow in 2024.
♦ Brad Borders celebrated the first graduates of the Veterans Treatment Court and discussed his work with the nonprofit OPTIVets (https://optivets.org), which treats PTSD in veterans and first responders. The organization uses functional and integrative medical treatment to treat the root causes of PTSD.
The program treats the brain through hyperbaric chambers, neurofeedback, red light therapy, health coaching, and nutritional supplements. Eight veterans and one first responder have completed the treatment program.
♦ Borders also said that the Veterans Treatment Court has its first two participants graduating on March 7. The court gives a second chance to veterans who return from service with PTSD, mental health challenges, or substance misuse that lead to legal issues.
The court, which began two years ago, has a team dedicated to the veteran’s treatment and recovery. over a two-year program, which pairs each participant with a volunteer mentor.
The court can accept up to 20 vets at a time, and anyone who wants to apply must only have minor offenses.
♦ Borders also announced another Military Reboot program starting on February 18 in Statesville. The free 12-week course is designed specifically for veterans, providing the tools, support, and community needed to reset their mindset, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.
Spouses and partners are encouraged to attend because healing and growth are stronger together. Meals are provided each session! Register now at https://rebootrecovery.com/military/#join.
♦ Kristin Blumenstein of DACI encouraged community partners to contact her to get free NARCAN, prescription drug lock boxes and disposal kits, and fentanyl test strips. Contact her at kristin@daciredell.com for more information.
♦ Karen Kidd said Foundation of Hope has received a huge private donation of sleeping bags, tents, heaters, hygiene and cleaning supplies, and other items if needed by coalition partners helping the area’s homeless population.
♦ Navey also asked coalition partners to assist a family living in an unsanitary situation. The elderly mother is showing cognitive decline and the veteran son is recovering from traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car. The group discussed options for immediate relocation and assistance efforts.
Upcoming Events
♦ Trinity Episcopal Church (801 Henkel Road in Statesville) is having a Souper Bowl Sunday event at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 9, serving soup, bread, and deserts, with proceeds benefitting Fifth Street Ministries.
♦ The Salvation Army will have a free community spaghetti lunch on Tuesday, February 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to introduce the new lieutenant, April Nesbit, who is eager to engage with the community. The lunch is open to everyone.
♦ Tommacena Douglas of the Statesville Housing Authority is accepting items for 50 Valentine resource bags to be distributed to seniors in the SHA community on February 13. Contact her at tdouglas@sha-online.org if you wish to donate items.
♦ In its mission to flatten the line on drug and alcohol misuse, the Drug Alcohol Coalition of Iredell will hold its third annual “In The Know: A Community Conversation on Substance Misuse” event on Tuesday, February 18, at the Statesville Civic Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
This conversation is for everyone — parents, the faith community, school employees, business leaders, government leaders, elected officials, law enforcement, first responders, and interested community members — because solving the substance misuse crisis will take everyone connecting and committing to the prevention and treatment cause.
The entire community is invited to this free event, hosted by emcee Jeff Eades of Partners. Please register with Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-the-know-a-community-conversation-about-substance-misuse-tickets-1126349685229) for breakfast and lunch counts.
Delton Russell, Region Four Tobacco Control Manager, will deliver the keynote address, “Addiction and the Developing Brain.” Stephanie Duck will also be sharing her personal story of losing her son to fentanyl poisoning.
The event will also feature three break-out sessions on a variety of topics and multiple opportunities to visit local agency booths to access information from local prevention, treatment, and recovery agencies.
Breakout sessions include the Hidden in Plain Sight teen bedroom, Changing the Narrative with Addiction, Iredell Davis Behavorial Health, Hard to Swallow: Youth Exposure to Alcohol, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Veteran’s Treatment Court, and Narcan Training.
♦ The community is asked to support a Leadership Statesville fundraising event on February 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Red Buffalo to support renovations for My Sister’s House domestic abuse shelter. Guest bartender race car driver Greg Biffle and other NASCAR personalities will be there. Activities include a 50/50 raffle, auction, and more.
Leadership Statesville has committed $25,000 to this MSH project, continuing their support for local nonprofits.
♦ Fifth Street Ministries’ Night of Hope fundraiser will be on March 27 at Fields of SkyCrest (195 Skycrest Lane in Cleveland). The fundraiser will include heavy appetizers and an open bar. Molly Grantham will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Contact Amy Freeze (afreeze@fifthstreetministries.com) for more information.
♦ The Statesville Housing Authority Fresh Start Resource Fair will be at the Bentley Center on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with check-in from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Grilling4God (G4G) will be supplying lunch. E-mail Tommacena Douglas at tdouglas@sha-online.org to register for the Resource Fair.
♦ Karen Kidd from Foundation of Hope Ministries announced the Serving Hope pickleball tournament fundraiser will be on Saturday, March 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Caldwell Park in Statesville. The event features men’s and women’s doubles. The divisions are beginners (3.0 & Under), Intermediate (3.25—3.75), and Advanced (4.0 & Up).
Registration is $40. Lunch is included. Register at piedmontbgc.org/pickleball. All proceeds go to supporting organizations that serve those who need us most in the community.
FOH, Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont, Statesville Police Department, and G4G are event partners.
The Serving Hope event is also seeking sponsors. All sponsors will be listed on the event T-shirt. Contact Kidd at kkidd247@gmail.com for more information or to pursue sponsorship opportunities.