Coordinated Access
The lack of available resources at one central location for the homeless or nearly homeless community is a significant issue. One of the most successful first efforts is through provision of essential human needs such as food, clothing, showers and laundry, hygienic products, medical care and mental health intervention. These services are vital, but are not a solution to homelessness. The ability to link homeless people to case management, services aimed toward a healthy, productive lifestyle, and continued support of the homeless individual through this change should serve as the guiding principles behind all outreach efforts.
Problem
The lack of available resources at one central location for the homeless or nearly homeless community is a significant issue. One of the most successful first efforts is through provision of essential human needs such as food, clothing, showers and laundry, hygienic products, medical care and mental health intervention. These services are vital, but are not a solution to homelessness. The ability to link homeless people to case management, services aimed toward a healthy, productive lifestyle, and continued support of the homeless individual through this change should serve as the guiding principles behind all outreach efforts.
Vision
The Spartanburg Opportunity Center is a multi-resource center in Spartanburg, South Carolina that will serve clients who are homeless or nearly homeless and provide services and referral of services to assist in recovery and transition. The vision for this center is to link those in need with community resources at one location and to provide a system of care that is inclusive, well planned, coordinated and evaluated and is accessible to all who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.
Opportunity Center
It is necessary to have one coordinated intake center that offers an diverse array of services and can provide the counseling and case management to assess the needs. The Spartanburg Opportunity Center is that place. Through various partners, the SOC will be able to provide services, resources and hope to the homeless and those on the brink or at risk of becoming homeless.
Solution
The Spartanburg Opportunity Center will be a location where homeless and the nearly homeless can receive basic and expanded needs, services and resources giving them an opportunity to succeed. SOC will be part of a Multi Resource Opportunity Center that will assist clients with multiple needs beyond the hygiene and cleaning. It will take a collaborative effort of the many social service agencies, churches, businesses and government to work together to strive to break the cycle of poverty, restore dignity and provide a path to self-sufficeincy for all who come.
Goals
The goal is to empower homeless and those in jeopardy of becoming homeless to build a positive future by providing the resources and assistance critical to growth and stability.
The Spartanburg Opportunity Center will provide the tools, resources and assistance to achieve this goal.
SOC will partner with community agencies and provide office space to be used to provide services for the clients as well as referrals to partner agencies and churches. To work with parishes, community leaders, partner agencies and churches to assist with the SOC and to advance homelessness awareness through education, outreach and public relations to create a more informed community motivated to take action.