DST-Salinas Alisal Proposal Who: Downtown Streets Team (DST) is a volunteer work-experience program in which Team Members (those experiencing homelessness) beautify their community in exchange for comprehensive case management services, employment services, and basic needs stipends. Through their volunteer work, Team Members rebuild effective work habits, take on leadership opportunities, further their education and ready themselves to re-enter the workforce through the support of a positive community. Team Members earn valuable work-experience skills while giving back to their city. It’s a win for the community, a win for the environment, and a win for the increased self-sufficiency of our Team Members. To date, Downtown Streets Team has exceeded over 1,500 individuals’ successes! The agency as a whole have placed over 900 individuals into employment (lasting over 90 days) and over 950 individuals placed into permanent housing. One person at a time, DST is ending homelessness through the dignity of work. DST-Salinas has collected 2,368,239 gallons of debris, 236,373 cigarette butts and safely removed 9,739 needles. We have removed over 1863 barriers impeding Team Member goal achievement with 24 individuals into employment (lasting at least 90 days) and 24 into permanent housing. DST project is a “gateway program” for those living on the street who have lost hope and motivation. We provide an individualized approach to employment, housing, and barrier removal for each Team Member. Our goal is to change the perception of homelessness in each community we work.
What: With the City’s partnership, DST will specifically use funds to create 2 new Teams of 4-6 volunteers each to assist with debris removal, syringe removal, and maintenance of the designated areas in the Alisal neighborhood. Team Members will act as ambassadors with current residents and business owners in the area to build awareness about our program and to show community members the value of DST. DST Case Managers will provide work readiness training, Case Management and Employment Services to all Team Members. As with every other Downtown Streets Team, the staff will work with existing housing and shelter providers, service providers (medical, legal, etc.), and local government agencies to remove barriers to self-sufficiency for every Team Member. We consider ourselves professional problem solvers working to support Team Members in achieving any goals they set for themselves. Downtown Streets Team has proven to contribute to the local community in the following ways: § Cleaner/safer streets, communities, encampments and natural environments § A cost-effective solution to homelessness with savings to local government § An individualized case management model and gateway program for the “service resistant” § Immediate results § An intervention with positive behavioral changes § A highly visible model which provides good PR for the unhoused community and project partners When: DST staff work Monday through Friday (40 hours per week) for 49 weeks per year. DST Team Members volunteer Monday-Friday (maximum 4 hours per shift) and follow the same holiday schedule as DST staff. A list of the holidays can be provided to our partners annually. Alisal Team 1 Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8am-12pm Alisal Team 2 Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8am-12pm 8am-12pm DST Team Members do not volunteer in inclement weather (heat, cold, or rain) due to the increased health risks. Without stable housing, those experiencing homelessness are more prone to illness
since it’s more difficult to stay warm and keep their clothing dry. Team Members receive their stipends at the weekly Success Meetings with supportive service staff, attending interviews, trainings and other employment readiness activities. DST-Salinas holds their weekly Success Meetings on Wednesdays at 12:30PM at the Women’s Club (215 Lincoln Ave Salinas, CA). Where: The full map of all DST-Salinas routes can be found using this link. The images provided below represent the route that will be covered by both Alisal Teams. Alisal Team 1:
Alisal Team 2:
ALISAL DST TEAM 1 – CLEANUP COVERAGE MAP
ALISAL ST (285 E ALISAL ST TO EAST END OF HIGHWAY 101 UNDERPASS) COMMISSION ST GRIFFIN ST (JOHN ST TO MARKET ST) MARKET ST (SHERWOOD DR TO EAST END OF HIGHWAY 101 UNDERPASS) RIANDA ST WORK ST (JOHN ST TO ALISAL ST)
ALISAL DST TEAM 2 – CLEANUP COVERAGE MAP
ALISAL ST (EAST END OF HIGHWAY 101 UNDERPASS TO HEBBRON AVE) JOHN ST (EAST END OF HIGHWAY 101 OVERPASS TO WOOD ST) KERN ST (ALISAL ST TO MARKET ST) MADEIRA AVE (NORTH+SOUTH OF ALISAL ST) MADEIRA AVE (NORTH OF MARKET ST) MARKET ST (EAST END OF HIGHWAY 101 UNDERPASS TO HEBBRON AVE) PEARL ST (ALISAL ST TO TERMINUS OF S. PEARL ST) ROOSEVELT ST (KERN ST TO PEART ST) WOOD ST (JOHN ST TO ROOSEVELT ST)
Impact and Methodology: This project will utilize DST’s custom data impact system to measure human service results. This new system utilizes Clarity software, the industry leader in Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), which can integrate into existing HMIS data systems in Salinas. Furthermore, user data will be collected twice annually through an anonymous and optional feedback survey. The survey also captures qualitative data such as improved health, increased dignity and more positive interactions with the criminal justice system. DST is committed to achieving the following outcomes throughout the duration of the annual contract tied to the two Alisal Teams. These metrics were determined with the same methodology as the other two contracts that DST has with the City of Salinas. The metrics below are in proportion to the funding provided by the contract as compared to the other two contracts. Proposed Outcomes: • Serve 10 unduplicated individuals • Transitioning 2 individuals into employment lasting at least 90 days or job currently held at the time of the final report • Placing 5 individuals into permanent housing • 300 Cubic Yards of debris removed by each Team (600Cubic Yards Total) • 500 syringes removed • 30 Barriers removed Budget:
The largest expenses reflected above are for staffing and basic needs stipends, which are used to incentivize Team Members and help them transition out of survival mode into goal-setting mode.
Staffing costs are higher than originally projected because we need to hire a part-time driver to make the dump runs for both Alisal Teams. We will be providing comprehensive case management services to the Team Members on the Alisal Teams and we need to cover a portion of the salaries of our direct service staff.
We have included a line item to reflect associated hiring costs such as benefits, payroll taxes and workers compensation. Communications covers a phone for the staff member, Computer Equipment covers the computer for staff member, and Mileage covers transporting clients, driving to-and- from landlord outreach, and other local travel. All other line items are essential expenses for the successful execution of this program. “G&A, Management, Legal” is adjusted to meet the ESG required 10% and will cover accounting, legal expenses, program support, and other critical back-end functions essential to the smooth execution of this program.
This proposal is meant to act as the continuation of our expansion conversation. All matters of project area, schedule, days and hours volunteered, number of Team Members, etc. can be adjusted to meet priorities identified. We welcome any opportunity to discuss this project in greater detail.
Thank you!
Jocelyn Curran
Director, Monterey County & Santa Cruz County
Phone: (831) 713-3708
[email protected]