New Initiative: Adopt A Unit

In a nutshell, under the Adopt A Unit initiative, a congregation helps a Housing First participant establish a household unit.

The Key Alliance is all about promoting and funding permanent solutions to homelessness. One of the key programs we support is Housing First, a national best-practice model that offers permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness.

At The Key Alliance, we have a formula for success, which is:

Housing + Case Management + Income = A Reduction in Homelessness.

Housing First offers permanent housing. The key to keeping a chronically homeless person housed is intensive case management. We work with master’s level social workers who have a case load ratio of 1:12 and are available to their clients on a 24/7 basis. A regular income, which can be social security or disability benefits or employment, will help a person move to self-sufficiency.

Homeless persons enter housing with nothing but their clothes and the belongings they can carry. What often happens is, once we manage to raise the money for a person to come off the street, that person moves into an empty low-income apartment.

Adopt A Unit helps people be successful.

Our new Adopt A Unit initiative is all about helping a person move into housing and setting him or her up for success.

How does the program work? A congregation interested in adopting a unit should:

1. Contact our Housing Coordinator, Carolyn Grossley Cooper at The Key Alliance, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 615-880-2293 for information.

2. Form a dedicated committee to Adopt A Unit.

3. Set up a meeting with Carolyn, so your group can ask questions, talk about Housing First and what the Adopt A Unit initiative entails.

In summary, the Adopt A Unit initiative provides the absolutely necessary items to set up a person in his or her first apartment.

You probably vividly remember when you moved into your first apartment, how proud you were and how you received a few hand-me-downs and house-warming gifts from your family and friends.

Adopt A Unit is an initiative imitating that warm spirit of friendship and pride. Moving off the street into housing is a big step for a person who has become used to focusing on daily survival. The people our case managers work with know that they have to make a few changes in their lives and are willing to do so.

Having a few furnishings and household items, even if it is just the bare essentials, is much more encouraging than entering an empty apartment and starting to unfold the bedroll that was used when sleeping on the streets.

We, at The Key Alliance, believe that when Nashville comes together as a community, we can end chronic homelessness and reduce overall homelessness in our city. How is it done? Simply by housing one person at a time.

Please consider being a part of the solution to homelessness. Feel free to contact us at 615-780-7051 for more information.

Adopt A Unit Recipient: John Henry

John Henry found himself homeless when he lost his job as a truck driver due to a suspended driver's license and ended up in Nashville, selling The Contributor at the corner of Hillsboro Road and Harding Place.

That's where he met some of his regular clients who were parishioners of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which ended up becoming the first congregation to participate in the Adopt A Unit initiative.

“We kind of fell into the program,” Barry Gammons, a church member who also chairs The Key Alliance board of directors, said. “We came to know a now formerly homeless individual (John Henry) and as a church decided to help him. With my role in The Key Alliance, I was fortunate to have the resources at my finger tips to bring in the expertise of the staff to help us coordinate our efforts.”

Gammons said the Adopt A Unit program provides the church members an opportunity to see, first hand, the difficulties faced by a homeless individual moving into housing. Many members become more curious about how they can help, in constructive ways, to deal with issues other than just material possessions. Some members have even begun to seek out other ways to serve the homeless community as a result of their experience with this program.

“This program gives all of those who participate a chance to get involved to whatever extent they feel comfortable,” Gammons said. “For some, that may mean donating furnishings. For others, it may mean exploring more deeply the issue of homelessness and seeking out ways to bring their resources and talents to bear on the issue.”

Carolyn Grossley Cooper, housing coordinator with The Key Alliance, said the Adopt A Unit initiative, which is a part of The Key Alliance's Housing First program, is only possible through collaborations.

“The role of The Key Alliance is to help identify basic needs and offer guidance to a congregation so that as members step up to help a formerly homeless neighbor transition from street life into the Housing First program, they do not overwhelm themselves or the person they want to help,” Grossley Cooper said. “My role truly is to ensure that we define boundaries while meeting the needs of a person.”

John Henry is not only a vendor for The Contributor, he also regularly contributes articles to Nashville's only street paper. Mr. Henry says he has been embraced by church members who support him meet his goals of getting his license back and finding regular employment.

He said a person needs to be ready to receive the help and move ahead.

"You've got a lot of homeless people who have given up just because the way society treats them," he said.

The Key Alliance's coordination role helps congregations identify formerly homeless individuals who are willing and ready to do what John Henry is doing - be ready to move ahead, one step at a time.

Housing First Supporters: Village West Apartments

The Key Alliance Housing Coordinator, Carolyn Grossley Cooper, organized a Landlord Meeting at the McCabe Golf Club House on April 5. 

About eight landlords participated to learn more about Housing First, which offers permanent housing to the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals in Nashville.

Landlords learned that when they offer low-income housing to a formerly homeless renter who participates in the Housing First program, they have a case manager to call should any problems arise. In essence, they are already serving the very low-income population. However, Housing First offers a contact person to deal with problems before they escalate.

Alicia Flores of Village West Apartments was one of the landlords immediately in support of making units available for Housing First participants.

Ms. Flores took the time to give us an interview recently:
 
TKA: How and when did Village West Apartments learn about the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission and The Key Alliance?

Ms. Flores: We vaguely had heard of the organization, but then we received a flyer in the mail about the meeting on April 5.
 
TKA: Why did you participate in the landlord meeting hosted on April 5? 

Ms. Flores: Our company has been involved with homelessness for many years and this sounded like a wonderful opportunity to get more involved.
 
TKA: What convinced you that Housing First works? 

Ms. Flores: Hearing everyone at the meeting speaking.
 
TKA: How many units would you like to offer to the Housing First program as funding becomes available? 

Ms. Flores: We will offer five (5) 2 bedroom apartments at a discounted rate.  We already have someone moving in on Monday at the discounted rate and someone else is moving in next month in a one (1) bedroom that is not discounted.  There is no limit on the non-discounted apartments.
 
TKA: Why did you decide that you would like to offer some units to the Housing First program? 

Ms. Flores: Our company has always given back to the people of Nashville and this organization touched our hearts.
 
TKA: What else did you learn from that meeting? 

Ms. Flores: We have been trying for the last 2-3 years to participate in Project Homeless Connect and did not find out the details in time.  Now we know that The Key Alliance is who we need to speak to, to set up a booth at this event.
 
TKA: Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Ms. Flores: We are very excited about working with this organization.  Not only does it help our occupancy, but it helps the Nashville community.

Community Partner: NashVitality

“NashVitality celebrates the spirit of creating healthier communities in Nashville.”

We were thrilled when the Metro Public Health Department approached The Key Alliance as a part of the NashVitality campaign to partner and promote the city’s ‘Adopt A Meter’ initiative, which raises awareness and funds for homeless outreach.

The NashVitality campaign highlights initiatives, such as Adopt A Meter, that contribute to the health and quality of life in Nashville.

“We eat better when healthy food is more available than junk food and sugary beverages. We move more when we have safe, inviting places nearby to be active. We live longer, healthier lives in these communities.” – as NashVitality lists on its Website.

With that in mind, Nashville’s Adopt A Meter program fit into the concept of improving quality of life in Downtown for residents, business people and homeless individuals alike.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal Article, “Nashville is one of 50 communities that recently won a total of $403 million in federal grants to implement programs to foster healthier lifestyles. The city's $7.5 million, two-year grant to combat obesity is part of a push by the Obama administration to trim the nation's health-care costs by preventing disease.

“The goal of the national program, overseen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is to determine which policies and activities are most effective at keeping people from smoking, overeating, or other unhealthy behavior, so they can be implemented in other communities. The Nashville program, called NashVitality, has 22 objectives to reach, from improving school food to implementing a bike-share program.”

The NashVitality team has created a slogan for its Adopt A Meter promotion, which reads, "It’s the spirit of a city that creates positive change through pocket change.” Posters featuring one of the blue donation meters alongside the slogan are posted in shop windows throughout Downtown.

About the Adopt A Meter Program

Mayor Karl Dean tasked the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission to implement the Adopt A Meter program, which he first encountered on a leadership trip to Denver, CO. Under its nonprofit fundraising arm, The Key Alliance, the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission posted 26 blue donation meters in high-foot-traffic areas in Downtown.

Proceeds from the Adopt A Meter program will benefit homeless outreach to some of the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals in Nashville and connect them with permanent housing and needed services.

The Key Alliance promotes Housing First, a national best-practice model that provides permanent housing and intensive case management to chronically homeless individuals and helps each participant move toward self-sufficiency.

Inaugural Run for the Homeless

The Key Alliance team thanks its Board of Directors, volunteers and sponsors who have made the inaugural Run for the Homeless a successful 5K Run/Walk on May 14.

We had 285 runners and walkers register to participate. Thanks to our collaboration with the Nashville Striders we were able to smoothly process the many walk-up attendees. A number of nationally ranked runners participated – a fact that we also accredit to the Nashville Striders who included the Run for the Homeless in their Grand Prix Series.

A big thank you from us to the Nashville Sports Council who handled online registration and fundraising and helped us spread the word about the event.

Among our tireless volunteers – too many to name individually – we would like to highlight the generosity of Metro police officers and officers from surrounding counties as well as EMT Valerie Buck who all donated their time to help with traffic and street closings in the Downtown area and were present for emergency situations.

Top winners are listed on the Website at www.thekeyalliance.org/5k

Clifton Harris, executive director of The Key Alliance, said he was pleased with the way the race went.

“The Run for the Homeless raises awareness and funds for our Housing First campaign,” Harris said.

 Housing First moves individuals and families directly from the street or shelter into permanent housing where they receive intensive, individualized case management to address their needs.

The Run for the Homeless will hopefully become a new regular feature in Nashville’s running world.

The main event sponsor was Academy Sports & Outdoors. Top winners received a roundtrip ticket courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

“Southwest Airlines believes in the mission of The Key Alliance to bring together the community in support of permanent solutions to homelessness,” Ana Schwager Southwest Airline’s community affairs and grassroots manager, said. “The Run for the Homeless is a way for people to come together and learn about Housing First while having fun.” 

Housing First Supporter: Adams Investment Strategies

Adams Investment Strategies was a main sponsor of the Run for the Homeless, the inaugural 5K Run/Walk supporting The Key Alliance's Housing First program. Dave Adams, president of Adams Investment Strategies, came out to the event at Downtown's Hall of Fame Park and cheered the runners on.
 
TKA: Why did you choose to support the Run for the Homeless?
 
Dave:  First of all, I believe The Key Alliance is “spot on” in their approach to end chronic homelessness in Nashville. An event like the “Run for the Homeless” helps educate people about the work that is being done and helps people get in shape, all the while raising funds for the cause.
 
TKA: How did you learn about The Key Alliance and about the Run?
 
Dave:  I have known about The Key Alliance for a few years through my friendship with Clifton Harris. My wife and daughter have volunteered their help at the Project Homeless Connect event for the last couple of years as well.
 
TKA: What do you like about the work of The Key Alliance?
 
Dave:  Their approach of forming alliances with other agencies just makes sense to me. In an area of multiple agencies coming at a problem from all different angles, The Key Alliance seeks to create synergy between those agencies and continuity in their respective methods.

TKA: At The Key Alliance we believe that when a community comes together we can end chronic homelessness and reduce overall homelessness. We are all about finding and promoting permanent       solutions that work for Nashville. However, we realize that solving homelessness can be a slow process. It is done by housing one person at a time. What are your thoughts about that statement?
 
Dave:  I agree completely. The task is daunting, but if efforts are focused on multiple small victories, it seems much more do-able. Eventually I hope it will be like a snowball rolling downhill. Also, when I learned that providing housing for a homeless person actually costs less than the average government expenditure for a homeless person on the streets I thought “this is a no brainer”.

Note from TKA: Housing First costs $17,000 per person per year ($6,000 for low-income housing and $9,000-$11,000 for intensive case management). In comparison, cost studies across the nation have shown that it costs an average of $35,000 per person per year when chronically homeless individuals are left to survive in the streets. The $35,000 is an average cost consisting of ER utilization, hospital stays, ambulance rides, arrests, jail stays, court costs, shelter, etc.

TKA: Before you got involved with The Key Alliance, what were your experiences with homelessness?
 
Dave:  I had served a few meals in shelters, bought a few “Contributor” newspapers, but had not had a lot of experiences with the homeless community.
 
TKA: In a nutshell, what services does Adams Investment Strategies offer?
 
Dave:  We help our clients make smart choices with their money by offering strategies for Investments, Financial, and True Wealth (Life) planning, which helps them connect their assets to their meaningful purpose in life. Our Website is www.adamsinvestmentstrategies.com/.
 
TKA: Do you plan to continue to support The Key Alliance?
 
Dave:  Absolutely! Ending chronic homelessness will be making smarter choices with the taxpayer’s money and should bring a great return on the investment for all.