Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/27/2015

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the volunteers provide shelter and three meals per day for one week out of each year. She stated that there is a case manager on staff that works with issue resolution and facilitates a weekly planning session with each family. She stated that one of the biggest issues families face is transportation, noting that public transportation is a huge tool for the people served. She stated that in regard to the mission, the heart and soul is what volunteers do for families in the program, such as birthday parties, homework help, softball games and other activities. She noted that the human aspect and support for people when they are down is a huge aspect of the program. She stated that since opening five years ago the organization has served 121 families in Anoka County, noting that they do not provide services to people outside of Anoka County. She stated that the yearly budget for the organization is $143,000 and explained that the value of the volunteer services they receive would equal $155,000 per year. She reviewed the sources of funding for the organization and stated that the longest and deepest collaboration is within the faith community. She stated that the case manager works 35 hours per week and has a three-ring binder filled with contacts in Anoka County that could or have provided assistance and collaboration. She stated that the organization is unique in that it works with families, noting that they refer single folks to other organizations and other organizations refer families to their organization. Lorena Palm provided an example of a day in the life of a family that is in the program, noting that the family is bussed from their location to the day center at Lord of Life Church and then goes off to school, work, or could remain at the day center to look for employment. She stated that the bus returns at 5:30 p.m. to bring the family back to the church they will be staying at for the week. She stated that the family is then rotated to another church the next week. She noted that the program is possible with the help of all those that volunteer their time and services. Ms. Ryan stated that the organization is open 365 days per year and provides services 24 hours per day. Julie Jeppson, Development Director for Stepping Stone, stated that Ramsey is the only city that has invited all three large players in the area of homelessness to have an open discussion and thanked the City for doing that. She stated that Stepping Stone is the only licensed homeless shelter providing service to those 18 and older and is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and 365 days per year. She stated that the organization provides housing to 66 guests with another 50 to 100 on the waiting list at all times. She stated that each guest has a specific issue they need help with and the organization helps to identify that issue and work through it prior to finding housing. She explained that if the problem is not addressed the guest will not be able to stay in their housing. She stated that there is a satellite workforce center on the property to help the guests staying there and noted that technology and computer skills are also provided in order to help the guests become more successful. She reviewed the educational aspects that are addressed and the assistance that is provided by the organization. She explained that when you are in survival mode you are not thinking about the long-term goal and the organization helps to provide the emergency shelter and basic needs so that the guests are able to focus on the long- term goals and the plan to reach that goal. She stated that the 66 guests staying at Stepping Stone are living there for their stay, which provides a permanent address that is needed during the job application process. She stated that during the year, they see about 600 guests and of that, approximately 30 of those people are from Ramsey. She stated that the budget for the City Council Work Session / October 27, 2015 Page 2 of 6