“More non-profits need to be accountable, metrics-driven,” said Steve Swayne of StepUp Ministry

StepUp Ministry is one of the few organizations in the Triangle offering job training programs to the homeless and the working poor.  Out of the 625 people who enrolled for its program, more than 400 passed and 314 got jobs.  80 percent of those still have jobs a year later.

Steve Swayne, the executive director of StepUp Ministry runs his nonprofit like a business.  All his case managers use a free nonprofit version of Salesforce.com and document all their interactions with their clients in their ipads.  On the quantitative level, Steve can tell you exactly how many homeless people came to StepUp for help in March and how many found jobs.  He showed me a copy of a book called Toxic Charity and said  “I truly believe that empowering people means that giving a turkey is a good start but far from the finish.  Empowering people means getting at the heart and the mind.”  He’d like to see more nonprofits in the Triangle work from a strategic plan that’s driven by impact and metrics and numbers.  Steve wishes more aid dollars were spent in a metrics-driven way: “If you wake up the director of a nonprofit in the middle of the night and ask how many homeless people between 35-45 years of age have you found jobs for in March, you shouldn’t have to wait for more than a couple of minutes for an answer.”

Steve is determined about his approach.  He feels that the system engenders a dependency mind-set and destroys self confidence.  The homeless don’t believe in themselves — he stresses that a heart and mind shift are both required.  When you are homeless, you are looked up on differently, he suggests, and no one expects much from them.  “Most individuals don’t want to learn process or have the patience required to participate in StepUp’s program.  But I’ve never blamed a homeless person.  Over time, I’ve learned they are really smart — just to survive on the streets.  It’s the system — and you won’t change the system that easily.”

When I explained my research endeavor to Steve, he suggested I focus on instilling dignity, respect, and belief in the homeless so they start believing in themselves.

Six people on Steve’s staff are graduates of the StepUp program.  He asked, “How many nonprofit can say that?”  He added, “We are laser-focused on what we do best.  We don’t try to do everything.  And we measure our work and execute from a strategic plan. That’s why we’ve grown and will continue to grow. Only 30 percent of our funding is from public dollars.  The rest comes from private donors.”

He suggested I meet with those who didn’t get through the StepUp program and ask them why.  He felt they may need someone to help them gain the self-confidence and motivation they need to kick the aid system, and move into self-sufficiency.

What I’ve Learned About Homeless Shelters in Wake County

There is a real shortage of beds at all the homeless shelters right now. Most shelters have long waiting lists in Wake County.

There are also certain groups that the shelters can’t currently help. For example:

Mike at the Raleigh Rescue Mission says there is no shelter that currently accepts single men with children.

• I wonder what this group does when they find no shelter? If anyone knows the answer, please let me know.
• How many men with kids need access to a shelter in Wake County?

Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network is a day shelter that sends families to local area churches to sleep at night. Their 12 week program seems to be the only one that doesn’t split up families based on gender. Most other shelters are men only or for women and children. But Wake Interfaith can’t accept families with children over 18 and they recently couldn’t help a single mother with an older disabled son.

Though all the agencies and shelters in the area try their best to refer families elsewhere when they can’t help them, I couldn’t figure out if there is a central authority that is responsible for making certain homeless citizens don’t fall through the cracks? Recently, the Women’s Center and Pan Lutheran Ministries (both help women and children) started coordinating their intake efforts and this should help make things better for women.

From what I can tell, each agency or nonprofit barely has the resources to focus on its own mission and core services. Some agencies have closed down due to funding cuts.
Due to a lack of good public transportation, it’s impossible to get to the resources that are still available.

A complete list of shelters in Wake County is at: http://www.wakegov.com/humanservices/housing/homeless/default.htm

Of course, the shelters have lost some of their government funding and donations have also dropped during the recession, so if you can donate money, I’m sure they would appreciate it.

I’m still trying to connect with the Raleigh Rescue Mission and the South Wilmington Men’s Shelter.  I’ve been told that the Men’s Shelter works on a lottery system because there aren’t enough beds available each night.

There are changes in regulation coming.  From what I’ve been told, the government is trying to limit the stay at shelters so there is a sense of urgency to find permanent housing for those who are homeless.

I still have a lot to learn about this, but I’ve made a start.  I welcome your insights, especially if you help manage a homeless shelter, or have stayed in one.

Update:

Spoke with Frank Lawrence at the South Wilmington Street Homeless Shelter for Single Men…  Wrote a detailed blog post of our conversation.