Blueprint for Prosperity Seeks to Raise Per Capita Income in Duval County

The City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and WorkSource have partnered together, along with volunteers throughout the community to develop a strategy for increasing the per capita income of Duval County. The process included conducting 29 Focus Groups with 355 participants, 14 Community Meetings with 580 participants, and 20 Task Force meetings with 382 participants.

Blueprint for Prosperity is designed to improve our community through concentrated efforts on six community foundations: economic development, education, racial opportunity and harmony, infrastructure, leadership and quality of life.

Challenge Grant Awards Announced

The 2005 – 2006 Challenge Grant were announced at the August 11^th meeting of the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition. If Duval County is funded at the $100,000 level, the awards will be as follows:

1. Catholic Charities Network of Care (Homeless Prevention) amount: $34,750
2. Jewish Family and Community Services (Homeless Prevention) amount: $30,650
3. Salvation Army Emergency & short term financial assistance (homeless prevention) amount: $10,500 (with focus on Clay County)
4. I.M. Sulzbacher Increased Access to Medications (health care) amount: $20,000
5. Empowerment First Service Quality Homeless Advisory Groups (Service Quality Initiative) amount: $4,100

2005 Continuum of Care Awards Announced

HUD announced the awards for the 2005 competitive grant cycle on December 27. The Duval and Clay County Continuum of Care received $3.7 million. Awards are as follows:

Congratulations to these agencies on their successful applications.

2005 Census & Survey Scheduled

The ESHC will conduct its annual census and survey of homeless persons on Monday, January 30.  Volunteers are needed to assist with the street count throughout Duval and Clay counties, and to survey individuals living on the street and in shelters and other housing programs.  To volunteer, contact Melody Bierwirth at 744-5023. 

Children’s Center to Open in 2006

The William R. and Francis B. Barnett Children’s Building, newest addition to the I.M. Sulzbacher Homeless Center, is scheduled to open mid-February, 2006. The building construction has been completed and now Center staff members are working to furnish the building and install computers for the children’s use.

Construction of the playground is scheduled to begin in two weeks, and should be completed just in time for the tentatively scheduled Grand Opening on February 14, 2006. "The new Barnett Children's Building will be a wonderful place for our children to just be children," said Sherry Burns, President/CEO of the Center. "The space is beautiful and the children are already excited about their new place to play and learn."

Women’s and Children’s Shelter to Open in 2006

The Trinity Rescue Mission will be opening its brand new Women’s and Children’s Shelter in January 2006. The shelter will have capacity to house 40 single women and 64 women with children.

The three-fold purpose of the shelter is to:

1. Stabilize the family unit with shelter, counseling, and discipleship.
2. Develop a case plan that will revolve around arranging permanent supportive housing.
3. Refer the family to appropriate agencies that will connect them with permanent supportive housing such as the housing provided by Community Connections, and support services from other appreciated community agencies.

Currently the need is so great that the new shelter will provide women with three nights of shelter. If they do not want or need a case plan, after the three nights, they will not be allowed to continue to stay in the center.  Trinity Rescue Mission seeks to help those that are ready to make changes, that will stop their need for emergency services, get them in safe permanent housing where they can begin the journey toward the hope of a quality life.

Contact Rev. Gene Pruett at 355-1205 for more information.

Health Care Discharge Planning Task Force to Convene

In keeping with new HUD requirements, the Coalition has convened a series of task forces to develop community plans for discharge from various institutions. The newest task force will focus on Health Care Discharge Planning, and will be chaired by Bob Johnson of the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless.

The purpose of the Task Force is to develop a community plan that will avoid discharging homeless persons to shelters or to the streets. If you are interested in participating in this task force, please contact Wanda Lanier (247-5112) or Melody Bierwirth (744-5023).

Home Safe Project Underway

The Home Safe Program, funded through a new HUD program called Housing for People Who Are Homeless and Addicted To Alcohol, a special initiative designed to assist homeless persons who also struggle with chronic alcoholism, began operation in December 2005. At full capacity, the program will provide 60 units of permanent housing with supportive services to chronically homeless individuals who are addicted to alcohol. Program partners are Gateway Community Services, the I.M. Sulzbacher Homeless Center, and River Region Human Services.

Nordeka Hall of the I.M. Sulzbacher Homeless Center, is the housing coordinator for this program and can be reached at 356-4083, ext. 208.

The General Membership of the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition meets on the second Thursday each month. The next meeting is scheduled for January 12, at the City of Jacksonville Mental Health and Welfare office, 5258-7 Norwood Avenue (Gateway Mall) from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

The Advocacy Committee will be meeting January 25, 2006 at the City of Jacksonville Mental Health and Welfare Office, 900 University Blvd North, Suite 405 at 8:30 a.m. The committee will begin planning for the 2006 National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.