Sunflower Harbor homeless outreach After the storm

Aaron has graduated our program! He'll be staying a while longer as a peer mentor, but it's making plans to achieve housing stability. 

We got through the historic winter storm relatively unscathed. Couple of burst pipes, but no significant damage. 

We updated our registry. It has a list of the needs for the next step of each project we're working on. www.myregistry.com/giftlist/sunflowerharbor

When we went to buy some things at the Oos, they sweetly donated 2 twin mattresses and a box spring! 

The guys installed a new sink in the front bathroom and made sure it worked. It's so rustic and pretty!

Even though the governor has lifted the covid restrictions, we are still going to be following them here at Sunflower Harbor for the time being for the safety of our guys. 

When the world overwhelms, I find it the best thing to do is to start by accomplishing just one little thing. -Ducky NCIS

Here at Sunflower Harbor homeless outreach, we try to end homelessness one person at a time. We have a little different approach to it than some. Most days, we're expirementing.  Most days, we're tailoring our care approach to the individuals we're serving. 

Ours is a work program. We also teach a lot of things as we go. Our workers begin filling out an independence plan by setting goals that will allow them to reach independence. These sometimes include getting an ID, job, phone, bank account, and housing. We also encourage them to add personal goals.  Once that is complete, we begin helping them reach those goals. 

We teach them skills that will help them get a job like resume building, interview practice, and job search tips and tricks. 

While they are searching for a job, we go over personal responsibility and begin the hard work of looking at why they became homeless and how they can lessen the chances of it happening again. We discuss work ethic and how to get ahead.

 They learn whatever skills are needed to keep the place running smoothly. Oil changes, plumbing, carpentry, cleaning, animal care, gardening, ECT. 

Once they have secured a job and gotten their first full paycheck, we learn budgeting, meal planning, and saving. They are now ready to begin graduation preparation. We help them gather what they'll need in a new home. We help them figure what they can afford to pay for rent and utilities. We help them set longer term goals and begin to work towards them while saving enough to secure a place to live. 

They graduate as soon as they complete all the steps, but can remain a while to be sure they can remain in stable housing when they leave. 

It's a long process.  Growth is sometimes painful, but it's so worth it when we get a tour of their new space! 

Want to be part of the solution? Donate through our website www.sunflowerharbor.org 

we take PayPal or cash app.