Social services can trace your roots back to the late 1800s. Many immigrants that came at that time with their own faith traditions First Services were taken care of widows and or fans and later seniors that is what churches and faith communities still do today. Our official starting date in San Francisco in the later days we did Refugee Resettlement after the viet nam war. Since that time weve been serving people who have been homeless, formerly homeless. Serving people with hiv and aids. And that is here in San Francisco. In San Francisco. But i know the territory covers all of Northern California which is a large territory. To oregon to reno all the way to hawaii. Thats a large territory. Stephanie, tell us about programs out in the east and northern bay, and beyond the city. Sure. So, in Contra Costa County we have a youth program, former foster youth living as adults. Similar programs in the stockton and sacramento area as well as programs for families, adults and up into their senior years as well. If we do the full breadth of the life span for the formerly homeless. These are the services not just nor lutherans. These are services for everybody. Right, we accept anyone. Faith is not an issue for us. We are based in faith. Emancipated foster youth, what do you do to assist them in becoming adults . Sure. So, foster youth comes to us theyve been wards of the court for most, if not all of their life. They have very few skills. They may not even really know how to take care of themselves, making beds, shopping, budgeting. All those skills are brand new to them. We work with them to learn how live independent, access services, make sure they go to school, have a high school or ged but ideally go to college. We help them to Access Healthcare services and be a roommate or live with others, that is also they also may not know. Lots of baby steps, we like to say, to get to the point where you can live independent and also learn how to live a fulfilling life. Are you providing housing for the foster youth and then. Yes. Kind of the counseling, Educational Services for them. We believe housing is the blueprint for success, stable housing. And then from there we provide what we call supportive services, that is the full rain, based on the needs of the youth or when we work with adults and seniors as well, what is it that they need to learn to be successful in life . And we call that case management. So it vair rows a great deal, even learning how to shop for healthy foods. Is a skill that a former foster youth probably doesnt know. How many of them are in the program that you are speaking of with Lutheran Social Services . Oh, gosh, we have at least a thousand. Between contra costa, sacramento and san joaquin. The smaller programs are best, we can really provide the one on one attention that they need to keep them moving ahead and following a goal. Do they age out then of your program at some point. Generally by 24. So, 18 to 24 tip keel when we get them. Our goal is to get through through and teach them them how to be a functioning adult. Thats what we need. What important life skills that they are learning from Lutheran Social Services. They are learning how to build their life. And rebuild, rebuild trust, learn how to make relationships with people. Create a new family for themselves, we hope. Yeah, exactly. True not only for the foster youth but also for the adults, if theyve been homeless for any length of time they have to relearn how to be they have to get their dignity back, their confidence. You name it. So well hear more about those services from Lutheran Social Services after our break. Thanks. Welcome back. We have two guests today from Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. We are hearing about all of their wonderful programs and ministry, programs for foster youth. Now what we are doing in San Francisco from nancy neilson, the deputy director. Tell us about the variety of programs in San Francisco. Sure. Thank you. In San Francisco most of our work is with adults, seniors, adults and in a few Housing Programs with families. Our Largest Program in San Francisco Services People who were formerly homeless who are now housed and in order to keep them housed we provide Money Management services, this is a program they do through the department of Public Health primarily. Its sort a no brainer if you think about it, if you want to keep people housed, the rent has to be paid. If someone has been living on the streets for 20, 30 year that is not a routine they know. They dont know how to manage. And so in this particular program, whatever resources are available to the individual, Social Security, sometimes retirement plan, that money is directed to a trust account with us, and we pay their bills, we pay their rent, we pay their utilities. We write about 9000 checks a month on behalf of our clients. Its a huge program. We have talented staff who have developed a database that helps us do that, to issue those checks and to balance to the penny every month. But, it keeps people housed. Folks that have been homeless for over 20 years are now staying housed for on a permanent bases, we have about a 9 8 retention rate of people staying in housing. 98 retention rate of people staying in housing. So they can stay in the housing that theyve been provided or they paying for. In this particular program, many of the folks enrolled have a Subsidy Program through the department of Public Health, others are living in the community. But the primary thing is stability. And then working with them to say, okay, if half of your income, half of your Social Security goes to rent how do you survive on the rest . How do you manage the month . How do you get a small amount of your remaining balance one week and more the next . We work with folks so that is whatever resources they have they dont get all at once because they, it takes awhile to develop the skills to manage those funds, to know how to make it through the month on half of your Social Security which might be 300 a month which is what you have left, how do you live through that . How do you manage that . Thats a challenge if there is only 300. Its a huge challenge. For people who lived on the street that has addiction problems. The challenge is to learn and utilize that money in a way that does good for you and not harm. In San Francisco we work with a Harm Reduction model. We someone who is having trouble managing their funds may come in every day for a small check, 10 to get through that day and come in the next or the day after. But to manage those funds so that they care for themselves and not do themselves harm. You are teaching life skills. Teaching life skills. What is interesting is that many people who are homeless, when you talk with them you find out that much of their life as a young person was in some kind of foster program. Maybe with relatives, maybe with other neighbors. They are oftentimes people whose whole life has been chaotic, they never had a stable environment to help them learn any of the daily life skills. Its a big challenge. So if we came down to the Lutheran Social Services offices on golden gate avenue in the heart of the tenderloin on the first day of the month. Yes. What will we see there . Well you would see on the first of the month a lot of our folks who come in after weve sent out the check for their rent and their utilities and their phone, they come in on the first, many its to pick up the balance, we will have checks ready for them. We open to the public at about 10 30 on that day. And we have a very long line which is 20 minutes because we are very efficient. So that is our busiest day. We see about 200 people every day. You are seeing clients all the time. People come to talk into in to talk to their case worker, case manager. Everything we do is in partnership with other agencies. So most of the folks that we are working with in the Money Management also live in Supportive Housing program that might have a case worker or engaged in another health clinic. So we try to work with that client to coordinate between all those different agencies that they work with. So that care is always there for them. Yeah, always. And the commune case piece is critical, partners that you are working with is so important. That is a critical thing to understand that helping someone who has been homeless is not just one agency. Its first step. One agency helps them get off the street. Another agency provides services. Another agency provides Money Management. It takes the whole village to help one person and its not just a one step get them off the street, if all you do is take someone off the street and put them in a room and never talk to them, you have moved the homeless camp indoors. You havent changed anything. So its critical to have the wrap around services that are a part of that program. I know mayor ed lee has talked about the need for more Navigation Centers that has those wrap around services right on site. Are you involved in those . We are doing pilot projects with Episcopal Community services with folks who are finally able to get into permanent housing, we are doing pilot programs with them around Money Management services taylored to those people, but it is a its a long process, and stabilization takes time when you have been living on the street. For years. And the survival skills you need to live on the street which are critical to survive do not serve you well when you are in housing. Fighting with your neighbors is not a good thing. It might help you survive on the street, but in a Housing Program its not a good way to handle your differences. So new skills. New skills, new skills. And everything, what seven a lewded to with foster youth, learning how to cook, learning how to shop, if you have been living on the street you dont have that skill set. Its not your priority. Where do you do your laundry . Now you are in an apartment complex with a washer. Learning how to do these basic skills is a big thing. We just heard about homeless services, we are going to hear about Senior Services next when we come back on mosaic. [piano playing slow tune] announcer dont wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today. Good morning and welcome back to mosaic im pastor elizabeth ekdale. Our partners from Lutheran Social Services and we are hearing about the diversity of program that Lutheran Social Services provides in Northern California. We heard about the program with the foster youth, with formerly homeless. And now you have got programs for seniors. So in San Francisco and then well hear what is happening in sacramento. What are we doing for seniors in San Francisco . Well part of our work with people who were formerly homeless is Housing Program that is funded through the department of Public Health that has formerly homeless seniors as a resident. So in that program we provide the on site case management. Like the foster program, support services are about helping people to function at their highest level. So in the Senior Program it may be helping them get transportation to medical appointments, making sure they get there, making sure they follow through on whatever their Treatment Program is. Coordinating with in Home Support Services that they have arranged for, that there is an assessment what their daily needs are. Many times its help with housekeeping or keeping some order. Increasingly seniors who have been homeless have issues with what we call hoarding and cluttering, having too much stuff, you finally have a place to put it so you bring it it all in and its not always safe to do that. So Lutheran Social Services helps provide. Case management, support services, whatever it takes to help that person maintain their housing. And thats it. We want them to stay in their housing. That is the goal. That is the ultimate goal. And thrive to the best you are capable of doing. Thats right. And sacramento, there is support with seniors, but you just said they also participated in art show, tell us about that. So one of our projects they started this art program on fridays and it was meant to be therapeutic and to get because they are mostly older adults in this program, get them out of their little apartment. And they discovered that they really enjoyed it and it went from an hour or two to 6 hours on fridays. And they recently we were there touring and we saw some of the artwork they had done, this is impressive. So we did an art show and there were over 40 original pieces, acrylics, oils, sculptures, crafts, they distroyed displayed, poetry. They didnt even realize in some cases they had these talents or long repressed because they spent time on the streets, disabled, chronic illness. And we had television stations come out and cover it, it was exciting for them. Wonderful. So im thinking that funding these pro gras. S is a Alcohol Program is a challenge. How do you piece together all the funding . Because you could do more with more funding. So where does most of your funding come from . So in San Francisco most of of the fund is through the department of Public Health or Human Services agency. We have contracts to do specific programs. The mini Management Program is funded through the department of Public Health. We take care of peoples tax dollars, if that money come from city resources and we are very careful on how we spend it, but of course there is never quite enough. The city is careful with what we are careful in what we do. But there is always a need. And particularly for supplemental programs to do extra things for the residents. We do a lot of activities, dinners, community dinners, art programs. Whatever meets the needs of the people of that particular residence. So those are the kinds of extra things that dont always get in city budgets. And stephanie, as the development director, youre living this seven days a week. The particular challenges for funding these wonderful programs. So, because we do get contracts to provide the housing and the basic staff coverage, it doesnt provide for furniture, sheets, towels, pots and pans, these people come to us with nothing. They might have a trash bag with some clothing in it if they are lucky. We actually have businesses and congregations and individuals that will put together welcome baskets. Fill a Laundry Basket with essentials. We have a list of ways you can help, seven ways to stem homelessness. We can use cash. In kind services, you can go to amazon smile, because many of us use amazon all the time, tis the season. This is the time to use amazon and we have a wish list on there. And on your on one of the videos i was watching one of the foster youth come into an apartment, and she was carrying just a bag of what she owned and this apartment was completely empty. So thats why i think we as generous viewers an people who care can assist Lutheran Social Services through your website. Youve got it. And of course for seniors, too, they are in need of extras as well. We try to do movein kits for seniors, we have people move into higher level of care, we want to give them a basket. Things you dont have money for. Soap and washing materials, we supply all of those things. Well come back for our last session and hear more about Lutheran Social Services and a word about christmas in this time of the year. Here is my handle and here is my spout. When i get all steamed up then i shout tip me over and pour me out. It only takes a moment to make a moment. Cheers, pinkies out. Take time to be a dad today. Good morning, welcome back to mosaic and we have been listening to partners from Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, nancy neilson, deputy director. Stephanie kosanza. This is the time of year where people want to give, they want to share a gift with charities or a place they know their gift is going to make a difference and weve heard the difference that Lutheran Social Services make. Please encourage people right now to go on to your website, say a word about that, go for it. Sure. Our website lssnorcal. Org. If you go to get involved it will tell you seven ways to help us end homelessness. Volunteer students, in kind donations, action, teams to come in because we do have projects, gardening for example. So, 925 8251060 extension 15 and that will talk to you about how you can help us. And of course visit our website to learn more about our programs and if you wouldnt to give online or find out more about what we do. I say a strength of Lutheran Social Service is a diversity of your program from families and children, to emancipated foster youth, to seniors, to form early homeless, to hiv, those who are addicted. If any one of those touches your heart, give us a call. Give Lutheran Social Services a call. It can happen to anyone at anytime in their life. We are all vulnerable. This is the month of december where we are anticipating that Christmas Season which is already upon us. What i would like to do to end this morning, find a church home. A Faith Community where you can worship, where you can celebrate christmas with the but theee of the music and the christmas story of jesus being born into our world. Where you can find a way to use your gifts to make a difference like with Lutheran Social Services. So find a church home, worship there. Start worshiping this sunday as we lead up to the season of christmas. Christmas is 12 days, it starts december 24th at st. Marks lutheran church. Our services are at 5 00, 7 00 and 10 30. And on the 25th at 10 00 a. M. But, there is local churches all around you. And i encourage you to find a Faith Community where you can celebrate christmas this season. And of course, christmas is also a time when people are volunteering, they are going to places to serve meals, or to give extra gifts and we want people to think of Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. A place where you might share a gift and you will make a difference. Yes, absolutely. Through the stories you have heard. And i think of these, you know, your clients, the people that you care for. I think of them on christmas during that time of year that can be a particularly lonely time. And knowing that a gift request make a difference in someones lives. So thank you. Thank you. For the good work that you do on our behalf, thank you so much. And i want to thank our viewers this morning. Hugh burroughs our producer, ron swisher my cohost, thank you for joining mosaic this sunday morning. Again, im pastor elizabeth ekdale, have a wonderful sunday captioning made possible by johnson johnson, where quality products for the American Family have been a tradition for generations. Pauley good morning, im jane pauley and this is sunday morning. A grammy sunday morning to be exact. Musics Biggest Party is tonight, broadcast right here on cbs. Well be hearing from singers and musicians throughout the morning. And not just living performers. Some are no longer with us but
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