For me, nothing quite highlights the need that exists in our community like the realization that the number of families experiencing homelessness, as reported in the Indiana University Public Policy Point-in-Time Count, conducted on January 29, 2014, was a 7% increase from 151 families in 2013 to 161 reported in 2014.  This does not include the estimated 3, 027 students in Marion County that identified as living in homeless conditions based on the U.S. Department of Education definition.

This speaks to the often misunderstood population that is typically thought of when homelessness is mentioned.  The perception often is that of the single man or woman on the street who appears to be mentally ill and possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  This has been perpetuated by the media, movies or the person that we see as we navigate around our city whether they are at a highway exit or on a major downtown city street corner.  Although there are individuals that might be homeless that meet these visual expectations, the reality is that families really are the face of homelessness in the greater Indianapolis area.

Another staggering statistic is that 24% of the individuals reporting in the Point-in-Time Count for 2014 identify as Military Veterans.  These two segments of the homeless population together are 41% of our city’s homeless population for just this one night in January. The Indiana University Public Policy Point-in-Time count found that, “Based on national research, estimates suggest that the number who experience homelessness at some point during the year is three to five times the number counted during a point-in-time count.  Using this year’s data and count, an estimated 7,543 to 9,485 (PIT results x 5) individuals in Marion County experience homelessness during the course of a year.”

If this social problem tugs at your heart strings or makes you to want to do more, please contact HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program. We are coming up on what is predicted to be another frigid winter and these families and individuals are already anxious about what the weather will bring as we transition into the next season.  I ask you, is this not the right time to put back just a fraction of your gratitude into the community in which you live? You can also reach out to one of the emergency shelters or homeless service providers in Indianapolis and ask what volunteer or donation needs they might have.

For more information or for other ways to get involved, contact Matt Holland (mholland1@iuhealth.org) at HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program by calling 317-957-2275 Ext. 4006 or visit us online at www.indyhealthnet.org. To make an online donation to HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, please click here.

Post by Matt Holland

Source: Indiana University Public Policy Institute, 2014 HUD Point-in-Time Count:  Homelessness in Indianapolis June 2014 http://policyinstitute.iu.edu/uploads/PublicationFiles/HomelessCount_2013_WEB.pdf

I am a Certified Medical Assistant, and I work for the
Homeless Initiative Program.

I get to travel daily into Marion County’s homeless shelters and streets providing individuals and families with the healthcare that they need. It is such an awesome feeling to help someone get their medicines that they desperately need and don’t have or to give a child their immunizations that may have been behind schedule or to help someone who is sick and has no insurance.

There have been times when mothers have been in domestic violence situations and had to leave in an emergency and had to leave their or their child’s medicine behind, so we were able to help them during situations like that.

I have been a part of patient’s being able to get employment from our services or receive much needed therapy. There are many jobs that require a physical with a Tuberculosis test, and we are also able to also help in that situation.

28% of individuals counted, or 444 people, were members of families, including 248 children under the age of 18. These individuals represented 155 families.
[from the CHIP 2011 Homeless Count]

Something very special to me is that I have seen children grow, not only physically, but also mentally in the time that I have gotten to know them. They have even called me “Aunt Mandy”! That is a great feeling!

We can offer people certain resources that they may have never known before to help them become self-sufficient. I have lived my whole life in Indianapolis, and I never knew about the programs or resources available for those in need. I have learned how to get from place to place and learned the different areas of the city when before I barely left my side of town. My knowledge has grown so much since I have became a part of HIP, and I am proud to tell people that I work for such a great organization.

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Today is Wednesday of National Hunger + Homelessness Week!  You can get more information about HIP on our website, chat with others on our Facebook page, and ask questions by tweeting at @GiveACareIndy.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am for these programs. I have my own place and a job. I can pay my rent. I have a bank account and a vehicle. I feel like my life is back together again. I owe it all to HIP and the HCP (Hospitality Certification Program). If it hadn’t been for their help, I don’t know where I’d be right now!” –Tonya Buie, HIP case management client and HCP participant.

Since 1988 HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) has opened doors for thousands of Indianapolis’ homeless, helping them find employment and permanent housing. There are thousands of Hoosiers who without the assistance and guidance of HIP would still be homeless and possibly hopeless. HIP not only assists individuals and families with getting housed, we provide them with hope and the tools necessary for them to remain housed.

What we provide for our clients is all in our name. Merriam-Webster’s definition of initiative is “of or relating to initiation.” If you look further into the word initiation you find thatit means “the act of starting something: the beginning of something.” When our clients step through our doors, they are in fact looking to “start or begin” their life again.

I started at HIP over five years ago and have been able to see the agency grow through the renewing of grants, the continued support from HealthNet, awarding of new grants and more recently, funding for housing programs. When I am out in the community on behalf of HIP, it pleases me that I am able to not only say we help homeless individuals get off the street by providing resources and advocacy; but also that we provide case management services to both individuals and families so that they have continued support through their journey of obtaining a home of their own.

HIP has always been and remains a cornerstone
for the Indianapolis community’s homeless.

When a client first walks in our doors they are greeted with a warm reception, dignity and respect. Clients come in for a range of services from assistance with everyday needs, medical help, employment, resources and referrals to assistance with finding permanent housing. Some of the everyday needs might consist of items such as soap, tooth paste, deodorant, lotion, a comb or brush, and anything else that those of us who are housed take for granted. We also have a clothing pantry where they can come in for socks, underwear, shirts, pants or even a coat for the winter. It’s a wonderful sight to see someone who has nothing come in and get a clean pair of pants, a shirt, socks and maybe even shoes and leave with a huge smile on their face knowing that they are truly grateful. Some even change in our bathroom before they leave! These services are all taken care of by our triage team who see clients on a first come first served basis.

If clients are looking for assistance with “starting or beginning” their life again, triage will sign them up for case management.

HIP has four caring, empathetic, socially conscious and educated case managers. Our case managers are the “advisors,” “counselors” and “supporters” for clients that come to HIP looking to start their lives over.

“Case managers are like a life coach getting clients to where they want to be.” – Kay Wiles, manager, Triage/Outreach and Case Management.

Once the relationship is started it becomes like a partnership in getting the client housed. Case managers have been there for clients in times of crisis as well as times of celebration. All four of us have at one point helped a client or family move into their new place, sometimes going as far as shopping with them for “the perfect matching comforter set”! It’s a joy for us to see them move into their place and know that we were instrumental in helping them start their lives again with new hope.

Case managers assist clients with referrals for employment, signing up for eligible benefits, childcare needs, and education, housing and mainstream resources. Once the client has established housing whether that’s transitional, treatment facility or permanent housing they continue to work with the clients for six months after they are housed. This allows the client the continued one on one support they need to maintain the life they have “started again.”

“HIP case managers help clients lay the foundation they need to improve their physical, mental, social, and economic well-being”

Today is Monday of National Hunger + Homelessness Week!  You can get more information about HIP on our website, chat with others on our Facebook page, and ask questions by tweeting at @GiveACareIndy.