TREASURE COAST HOMELESS SERVICES COUNCIL, INC.’s Post

Our thoughts on Black History Month.

2023 was the first full year the redesigned Coburn Place program for survivors was in existence. It was gratifying to see vastly improved program performance and increased survivor satisfaction in our data. We are still digging in, but preliminary analysis for Rapid Rehousing clients gave us another reason to feel hopeful – Coburn Place is having solid initial results in our part of the city’s goal to reduce Black homelessness by 35% by 2025. Looking only at RRH, 65% of all households were made up of Black survivors and their families. Of the 16 Black households who exited the program last year, 94% exited to permanent housing. 100% of Black survivors who reported income upon enrollment at least maintained that income, and 33% of Black survivors increased their income. We're still in early stages, but it’s clear Coburn Place has a critical role to play in reducing Black homelessness in Indianapolis. #homelessness #indy

In the coming weeks, We will feature content from our newest report, Black Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality. We are grateful to our partners and collaborators who formed the Racial Equality Roundtable on Black Homelessness. We are especially grateful to the unhoused and formerly unhoused Black individuals who spoke with us for this report and shared not only their experiences with homelessness but also their vision and hopes for better futures for themselves, others who are facing housing insecurity and homelessness, and all residents of Illinois. Read the full report here. https://lnkd.in/gcDa-rVk

Juneteenth provides an important opportunity to raise awareness about the continued challenges facing the Black community, including housing insecurity and homelessness. Some key points on this: 🔴Systemic racism and inequities have resulted in disproportionately high rates of homelessness among Black Americans. Factors like employment discrimination, lack of access to affordable housing, and higher poverty levels all contribute to this. 🟠Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people, but the legacy of slavery and racism has persisted in the form of barriers to economic and housing stability for many Black individuals and families. 🟢Homelessness organizations, advocacy groups, and community leaders often use the Juneteenth holiday as a platform to shine a light on these ongoing disparities. They may host events, panel discussions, or campaigns to educate the public and spur action. Addressing the root causes of homelessness in the Black community, such as structural racism, requires sustained, multi-faceted efforts. This can include increasing affordable housing, providing job training and employment support, and investing in under-resourced neighborhoods. Juneteenth presents an annual opportunity to recommit to these efforts and maintain focus on the work that still needs to be done to achieve true racial equity, including in the realm of housing and homelessness. #Juneteenth #BlackHistory #CelebrateFreedom

As we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth this February, we at CCH know that it's essential to reflect not only on the achievements and resilience of Black Americans throughout history, but also on the persistent challenges they face today. We know that due to structures of systemic racism, homelessness disproportionately affects Black Americans. In our city, Black Chicagoans make up more than half (53%) of the total population experiencing homelessness. Nationwide, Black Americans make up roughly 13% of the general population, but they account for 39% of people experiencing homelessness and more than 50% of families with children experiencing homelessness. To CCH, honoring Black communities means working towards a future where everyone has access to secure and stable housing, because housing is a human right. Learn more about homelessness in Chicago here: https://bit.ly/3NvfPg7 #HousingIsAHumanRight #EndHomelessness #advocacy

💪 Community empowerment starts with economic support. Celebrate this Black Business Month by choosing Black-owned businesses when looking for a local service provider. Pictured: @novaxstream @Therapprove #BlackBusinessMonth #SupportBlackBusinesses #BlackAndBrownFounders #BlackOwnedBusiness #SupportBlackBusiness #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusiness #BlackBusinessOwners #BlackBusinessMatters #TheBlackCEO

🌈✨ Exciting News & A Call to Action! ✨🌈 In December, a new chapter began for me that perfectly aligns my passions with my career. I am thrilled to share that I have joined Friends of Ruby (https://friendsofruby.ca/) as their new Sr. Project Manager. Friends of Ruby is a transformative charity devoted to the mental health and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth, offering essential services such as mental health counseling, social services, a drop-in space, and a 33-bed transitional shelter. 🏳️🌈 Why Friends of Ruby? What sets Friends of Ruby apart is its profound commitment to the needs of all 2SLGBTQAI youth and the thoughtful approach we take towards our work. It's not just about providing services; it's about creating a safe, welcoming space where youth are accepted wherever they are on their journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive. 🚀 Looking Ahead As we look to expand our reach and impact, there are numerous projects on the horizon that I am eager to dive into. The potential for positive change is immense, and the work we do is not just necessary; it's life-changing. "What we do know is that LGBTQ2S youth are overrepresented in youth homelessness; based on a book published by the COH and A Way Home Canada, about 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ2S."https://lnkd.in/gUJ-Vkjw 💡 Get Involved I invite my network to learn more about Friends of Ruby and consider how you might support this vital cause. Whether through volunteering, donations, or simply spreading the word, your support can make a real difference in the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Together, let's create a world where every young person can be their true self, supported and free from discrimination. 💖🏳️⚧️ #FriendsOfRuby #2SLGBTQIA #MentalHealthAwareness #Inclusion #Diversity #NewBeginnings

This week of Juneteenth, I encourage everyone to do three things: 1. Plan a trip to Montgomery, Alabama to visit the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace & Justice. In 2019, I visited with a group of lawyers, organizational leaders, and advocates working for racial justice to better understand the historic context of slavery, lynching, and anti-Black racism (including its pervasive, contemporary, and enduring systematic impacts). This year, staff from across my organization got to take this same trip. We all came back grounded in a history that many of us never learned in school. 2. This leads to my second suggestion, take some time to learn about the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT) (alliancefor.org), a new multiracial coalition taking action to address the harms of persistent denial of access to basic rights and resources. Here’s an example, the GI Bill was one significant way white Americans built generational wealth (https://n.pr/3RCQTWH) after WW II, when Black war veterans tried to buy homes or access education they were stonewalled (https://lnkd.in/g8unhJVi). Given this history, it’s not surprising that Black homeownership is at 44% while White homeownership is over 72%. My organization, Asian Law Caucus, is working with ARRT to address these systemic harms. 3. The third suggestion is for my Asian American immigrant colleagues and friends: talk about anti-Blackness with your community and understand the link between the civil rights movement and the ability of our families to enter post-1965. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was passed months after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black civil rights leaders paved the way for Asian American communities’ inclusion in the U.S (https://bit.ly/4eqRR2d). Without the activism of the Black community, many of us would not be here. #Juneteenth #BlackHistory #CivilRights #Alabama #SocialJustice #Leadership #Reparations #DiversityandInclusion #CivilRightsAct

Housing is a human right. Housing is Healthcare. Homelessness is not a crime.

Housing is healthcare.