Based upon an annual point in time survey, there are 175 homeless people in McLean County currently. The chronically homeless are those who may be physically or mentally disabled, addicted to drugs or alcohol, have little or no income or have poor health. The acutely homeless are temporarily out of work, have insufficient income, have been evicted from housing, are experiencing a financial setback from medical or other expenses, are transient, or experiencing domestic violence.
Safe Harbor works with clients to identify barriers and move toward self sufficiency. Safe Harbor provides a safe warm environment to sleep, storage of some personal belongings, breakfast and dinner (some people have meals that are not residents), shower and laundry facilities and case management services, including access and referral to local resources. Safe Harbor also provides clients with clothes and personal hygiene products when available.
Safe Harbor residents choose between three programs that accommodate their personal situation. Factors in program selection include: employment, decision to use case management and income. Length of client stay is determined by their program selection, as well as participation in case management services and compliance with Safe Harbor policies.
Safe Harbor provides:
Comprehensive Emergency Assistance This is a supportive program designed to provide the minimum necessities of life or other expenses on a limited short term basis to individuals and families during a period of sudden and unexpected dislocation, emergency or tragedy. The following are the components of the program:
Food Pantry Those who come to the food pantry receive enough food for several days based upon family size. Clients can receive a pantry once every 30 days. There are some income guidelines. This program is offered 1:00PM - 4:00PM Monday through Thursday.
The food pantry is stocked primarily by donations of food from individuals and families, through food drives and through the United States Department of Agriculture's commodities program. An average of 3,500 families (unduplicated) are served each year. To help the food pantry hold a food drive at your office, club or neighborhood or make a contribution specifying Food Pantry.
We are always in need of the following items: - Soup - Canned vegetables - Canned fruit - Macaronni and cheese - Canned meats - Cereal - Crackers - Pasta sauce
Energy Assistance The Salvation Army provides between $50 and $150 in financial assistance to those who are in danger of having thier gas turned off. We typically work directly with Nicor Gas to negotiate a situation in which the client can continue to pay a little at a time and still keep thier gas on. An average of 90 families are helped each year. Assistance for electric utilities and water are dependent upon available funds. If a client is receiving energy assistance, they are asked to contribute some money and are limited to once per year. This program is operated from 9:00AM - 12:00PM Monday through Thursday. Contributions to this program can be made by specifying Energy Assistance.
Rent Assistance The Salvation Army will provide up to $250.00 in past due rent for those with a medical situation. All other rent assistance is on a case by case basis and depends heavily on available funding. Rent assistance is a one time only program. This program is available 9:00AM - 12:00PM Monday through Thursday. Contributions to this program can be made by specifying Rent Assistance.
Transportation Transportation can include a bus ticket, bus tokens or funds for gasoline. This is only provided for those needing to travel for medical needs or a funeral.
Medical Needs Medical assistance is limited to help with the cost of life sustaining prescriptions and is a one time only program.
Diapers, Personal Grooming Items & Cleaning Products To receive diapers, formula, personal grooming items or home cleaning products, one must have a referral from a caseworker from one of the following agencies: - Department of Human Services - PATH - McLean County Health Department - Women, Infants and Children Program - a hospital - any other non-profit agency
This program is also contigent upon the availablity of these items. Currently, The Salvation Army is desperately in need of the following items: - Toilet paper - Diapers (any size) - Dish soap - Cleaning products (e.g. Pinesol) - Kleenex
For more information about any of these programs, contact
Earnestine Thomas at (309) 829-9476.