One of the coolest things I’ve been part of since starting my job in March is the 100 Homes Arlington Campaign. It’s part of the nationwide 100,000 Homes and the statewide 1,000 Homes efforts to move the most vulnerable homeless persons into housing. We’re still in the planning stages and working closely with A-SPAN to work out the logistics of Registry Week, which will take place October 16th – 21st. Registry Week is when community and staff members come together to take surveys and analyze data regarding individuals living on the street in Arlington. The results help determine the priority for moving individuals into housing.
The experience is incredibly rewarding because we know that 100 Homes will change the lives of at least 100 people who live on the streets right now. Those people will not only be placed into housing, but they will receive wrap-around services -- the additional support and resources they need, whether it's medical care, food stamps, or anything else many of us take for granted.
I was able to attend a Permanent Support Housing tour yesterday and it was an incredible experience to hear first hand from clients who are now proud to be in permanent housing. One of the clients expressed how nice it was to have neighbors who will speak to him. On the streets, he said, people would look away and he didn't know anything different than a life of isolation. What an amazing story to hear him talk about how his life is coming together, how he has a girlfriend, how he gets to go home each night, and how things are getting better.
Looking forward to 100 Homes, it’s also going to be an experience of a lifetime for the volunteers. The people who help as surveyors will meet at 3:30 a.m. three days in a row to go out in teams around Arlington. A lot of people, myself included, think the idea of getting up that early is crazy. But then I remember that I’m leaving my comfortable house with clean clothes and a warm breakfast to help people who would give anything to have that luxury. Three early mornings to help change someone’s entire life is more than worth it.
I was able to attend a Permanent Support Housing tour yesterday and it was an incredible experience to hear first hand from clients who are now proud to be in permanent housing. One of the clients expressed how nice it was to have neighbors who will speak to him. On the streets, he said, people would look away and he didn't know anything different than a life of isolation. What an amazing story to hear him talk about how his life is coming together, how he has a girlfriend, how he gets to go home each night, and how things are getting better.
Looking forward to 100 Homes, it’s also going to be an experience of a lifetime for the volunteers. The people who help as surveyors will meet at 3:30 a.m. three days in a row to go out in teams around Arlington. A lot of people, myself included, think the idea of getting up that early is crazy. But then I remember that I’m leaving my comfortable house with clean clothes and a warm breakfast to help people who would give anything to have that luxury. Three early mornings to help change someone’s entire life is more than worth it.
If you’d like to help, visit the 100 Homes website to get more information, sign up to volunteer during Registry Week, or make a donation. I’d love to see all of you there!
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