Over 20 residents and community members welcomed Joe Brackett, Homeless Health Care Center’s Outreach Coordinator today and heard about his work with Homeless clients in the Hamilton County area.
Mr. Brackett shared a lecture about his professional work and positive ways the community can help. Resident Carolyn Beam said she was impressed by the great work that the Hamilton County Health Department was doing. All were impressed by Mr. Brackett’s passion about his work. He used an analogy of being lost in a corn maze reminding us that many become homeless and simply do not have the skills or resources to re-enter a self-sufficient lifestyle. Some develop adaptable survival skills to live on the streets or in tent communities around town. His goal becomes to gain the “trust” of the individuals who have lost hope in their future.
Earlier in the month, the residents had the privilege of hearing from Ms. Jane Everett with the Christian Women’s Job Corps. She explained that her target market is women wanting to re-enter the workforce. Many clients are single mothers with three or more children. Often they end up homeless and living in temporary shelters for Domestic Violence victims. Some of the services provided by Everett’s group are assisting clients finding apartments, job training, job placement and coordinating transportation needs so the moms can get to work and back home to pick up their children from daycare and school. She described one young mom who literally travels one hour from home daily just to get to a job. Often they find affordable homes and apartments with cheaper rent rates outside of the city limits. But then transportation costs and logistics become an issue. Most do not have cars. Ms. Everett additionally elaborated on how someone becomes homeless explaining medical emergencies and job loss that affect individuals compounded with mental health issues such as depression that often sits in. Sometimes these folks simply do not have the money or insurance to purchase greatly needed medications.
During this month the residents and community partners have been collecting motel sized toiletries to help stock the pantries of several homeless ministry groups. They will conclude the donation drive next Thursday. Items will be presented to Herb Hooper from the Shower Ministry at First Baptist Church at the Golden Gateway.
RE/MAX Renaissance at Hixson was proud to be a corporate sponsor of this event. Should you want to drop donations, please do so at Dominion located at 2143 Northpoint Boulevard or at RE/MAX Renaissance at 6143 Hixson Pike, Suite 112. For more information, please contact Broker, Brenda Purcell at 423 648-8200 (office) or at 423 322-0011 (cell). Ms. Everett with the Christian Women Job Corps can be reached at 706-224-2908. Her organization is in need of women’s professional work attire in small and larger sizes. They do not accept clothing that has to be dry cleaned.