It's
Not About Shelters
"It's not about shelters—it's
about keeping people in their homes," said a speaker at a
summit on family homelessness sponsored by San Diego
Grantmakers (SDG) and SANDAG in February 2009. Without a
home, you can't look for a job. Without a home and a place to
study, kids struggle to pass tests. More families than ever
before are doubled up, living in a friend's garage or in their
car. In San Diego County 6,200 children are identified as
homeless or at risk. Entire families are uprooted and
struggling.
Coming
Together
The
SDG Homelessness Working Group (HWG) asked, "How can
private and public organizations come together to prevent
family homelessness?" With American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act money on the table, for the first time ever the county,
cities, and public agencies were invited by the HWG to develop
common strategy and apply for ARRA funds together. Ten people
came to the first meeting.
More agencies and cities showed up at the next meeting to
work together to attract this new funding for our region.
Around the table, the group collaboratively developed a
regional model — health and human services folks from
Oceanside were sitting down with folks from Chula Vista to get
things done.
$13
Million Gained
Sacramento officials overseeing
homelessness prevention recovery dollars were impressed with
this collaboration, saying the San Diego county strategy was
ahead of the game. In fact $13 million came into the region
as a result of this collaborative effort to keep children and families in their
homes.
How
Did Philanthropy Make a Difference?
The
San Diego Grantmakers (HWG) stepped into a new arena by
facilitating and supporting this public-private coalition,
venturing where grantmakers, government and nonprofit agencies
had never gone before. As a result, more people will have a roof over their heads. It is an exciting beginning for what will be a
very productive working relationship on behalf of San Diego's
kids and families, as the Homelessness Working Group continues to join with its partners in the fight to end family homelessness in our community. |
