ATTACHMENT A
Wellness Center
Quarterly Report
QUARTERLYREPORT
July-September
2024Homelessness Solutions
Planning Department
The journey from homelessness to housing reflects
profound resilience, characterized by numerous
struggles and small victories. Each day poses unique
challenges for individuals navigating the harsh realities of life on the streets, often feeling isolated in their fight for survival. The Wellness Center serves as a beacon of hope, striving to be more than just a shelter; we are
dedicated to holistic well-being.
This quarter has been particularly successful, with 42
individuals graduating into permanent housing
solutions, making it the most impactful period to date.
The Wellness Center has successfully integrated families onto the campus, already securing stable interim
housing for many families. Preparations for a
community garden have also begun, incorporating
renderings from a Wellness Center client and
collaborating with county public health to promote
wellness and sustainability.
The introduction of a new bus route by the VVTA
directly outside the Wellness Center has significantly
improved accessibility for clients. Additionally, the City’s CDBG-funded vehicle grant program empowers clients
to achieve greater independence, while the City’s
commitment to the well-being of both clients and their
pets has led to increased animal care and housing. The
Wellness Center continues to provide valuable insights
into addressing homelessness in the desert region,
positioning itself as a model for other cities looking to improve their continuum of care.
As summer comes to a close, the City is proud to reflect on the transformative growth and successes achieved
at the Wellness Center. A dedicated team, which
includes the Symba Center, Hope the Mission, and City
staff, has worked collaboratively to build on clients’
strengths, enabling a record number to transition to
permanent housing solutions.
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OVERVI EW
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Richard Y.
Congratulations to Richard for reunifying with
family in Oklahoma. The Wellness Center served
as the starting point for Richard to gain stability,
address his needs, and make the decision to
connect with his family. Staff and clients
celebrated Richard’s housing journey and wish
him the best as he spends quality time with his
family.
Scott T.
Scott’s journey highlights the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. After three years on the streets, he entered our Interim Wellness Center, where he received critical medical treatment. His path included participating in the Wellness Center recuperative care program provided by Symba Center and participating in a financial literacy program with CHASE Bank to create a budgeting plan. Additionally, Scott focused on vocational training and completed an academic certificate. His hard work culminated in a successful move into shared housing, marking a significant step towards stability, independence, and permanency.
CLI ENT
SUCCESSES
Financial Literacy
Program Highlight
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Chase Bank provides educational and
financial workshops designed for clients of
the Wellness Center. These hands-on
sessions cover topics like building credit,
managing debt, and banking
fundamentals, which are essential skills
needed to break the cycle of
homelessness. The goal for these classes
are to help clients become more
independent while providing them the
tools needed to enhance their financial
skills and work towards a more secure
future.
Programming is a vital component of the Wellness Center Campus. The Wellness Center and its dedicated team
consistently deliver engaging day-to-day programs and
activities that cater to the diverse needs of clients. Collaboration with local organizations is ongoing in an effort to expand our services and ensure comprehensive support for client success.
Wellness Center staff are proud to witness positive outcomes and receive enthusiastic feedback, which reflects the impactful work being accomplished in the community. Together, the City and collaborators are fostering a nurturing environment that empowers individuals on their wellness journeys.
Job readiness
Program Highlight
Goodwill offers a range of training
and employment tools designed to
help program participants reach their
full potential. Their individualized
programs and services include
occupational skills training, job
searches, resume writing, and
interview preparation. Additionally,
they provide programs for individuals
focusing on job readiness training that
enhances soft skills and work
adjustment.
Tie-Dye Day at the
Wellness Center
WELLNESS CENTER
PROGRAMMING
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DEMOGRAPHICS
Wellness Center July -
September 2024
45 45% 13
Average Age Chronically Homeless Veterans
Men57.4%
Women42.6%
White34.3%African American31.9%
Hispanic/Multi30.9%
Other3%
Client Gender Race/Ethnicity
0 20406080100120
Under 1818-2425-4445-5455-61Over 62
Client Age
July August Sept.0
5 10
15 20
July August Sept0
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 INTAKES
HOUSING SOLUTIONS
AVERAGE
OCCUPANCY
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42 Clients Housed
172 Intakes Completed
139
INTAKES AND
HOUSING
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Final numbers from our Encampment Resolution
Fund (ERF) grant are in. The grant was utilized
from January 2024 to June 2024, and enabled
the City to help numerous individuals within a 1-
mile radius of the Mojave River. These numbers
show the City’s continued commitment to
addressing homelessness within our city limits.
Meals Provided
Average
Recuperative
Care Clients
The mission of the Wellness
Center is to reduce
homelessness by providing
health and wellness
wraparound services to
undeserved individuals in
our community
WELLNESSCENTER MISSION
Full-Time
Wellness
Center Staff
Current
Number of
Pets on
Campus
24/7 Security
Staff at any
given time
88 24
3 ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION FUNDROUND 1 SUCCESSES
Veterans
Assisted
7 Shelter Bed
Nights
6,302
Individuals
Transitioned
to WC
91 ADDITIONAL DATA
Client Rides
31,880
32 4500
Encampments
Cleared
116
Tons of Trash
Cleared
91 PAGE 8
EMPLOYEE
THERESA HARTMAN
Spotlight
“When I started this job in December
2023 , I was uncertain about how I
would adapt, but I quickly fell in love
with it. As the lead HTM staff for
families, I find great joy in helping
clients regain stability, especially
when I see the happiness on the
children and parents’ faces as they
settle into their new rooms. Having
overcome my own struggles as a
recovering alcoholic, I am passionate
about using my experiences to
support others and am committed to
helping as many clients as possible.”
GINA VIANELLI
Gina exemplifies a deep
commitment to service and a
genuine desire to uplift her
community. Recently promoted to a
managerial position, she fosters a
strong support system with both the
Symba team and the clients she
passionately serves. Known for her
engaging personality and
unwavering positivity, Gina has
become a source of inspiration for
everyone she connects with, leaving
a lasting impact on their lives.
VEHICLE
ASSISTANCE FUND
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Vehicle Assistance Fund
Transportation is vital to all, and the
frustration of a broken-down vehicle can
leave anyone feeling helpless, especially
when individuals rely on their vehicles for
work, school, and wellness appointments.
Fortunately, the Wellness Center, through
a CDBG grant administered by the City’s
Homelessness Solutions staff, offers a
vehicle repair assistance program that
provides free or low-cost repairs, helping
those in need maintain their vehicles. This
program is essential for clients unable to
afford the necessary mechanical work
needed to operate and/or maintain their
vehicle.
In an effort to assist clients on their
“Route to Wellness,” the Wellness Center
is helping individuals experiencing
homelessness address their vehicle needs.
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HOMELESS ENGAGEMENT
TEAM
The City’s Homeless Engagement Team (HET)The City’s Homeless Engagement Team (HET) is centered around encampmentis centered around encampment engagement, case management, safety, andengagement, case management, safety, and the wellness of clients experiencingthe wellness of clients experiencing homelessness. Street outreach has expandedhomelessness. Street outreach has expanded to include immediate linkage to medicalto include immediate linkage to medical services, appropriate care, and housingservices, appropriate care, and housing solutions based on the client's needs. The HETsolutions based on the client's needs. The HET Team utilizes a holistic approach thatTeam utilizes a holistic approach that addresses the physical, mental, and socialaddresses the physical, mental, and social well-being of clients with services that arewell-being of clients with services that are tailored to respect the culture andtailored to respect the culture and background of each client. Partnerships withbackground of each client. Partnerships with local organizations are also utilized to ensurelocal organizations are also utilized to ensure accessibility to additional trauma-informedaccessibility to additional trauma-informed care.care.
OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT
The City’s Homelessness Solutions team isThe City’s Homelessness Solutions team is proud to highlight Code Enforcement Officerproud to highlight Code Enforcement Officer Zach Meza for his continued efforts toZach Meza for his continued efforts to empower and encourage positive change,empower and encourage positive change, promoting safety and health of thosepromoting safety and health of those residing in encampment sites throughoutresiding in encampment sites throughout the city. Officer Meza’s continued efforts havethe city. Officer Meza’s continued efforts have resulted in many of our Wellness Centerresulted in many of our Wellness Center intakes since its inception.intakes since its inception.
Thank you Zach
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Recuperative CareHighlighted
During the 2024 California Recuperative Care
Symposium, Symba Center CEO Dr. Shawn
Smith highlighted the Wellness Center for its
innovative approach to housing and
homeless services coupled with a robust
recuperative care model. The benefit of an
on-site medical clinic and an innovative
operator has helped pave the way for
increased client success.
DRIVING
INNOVATION AND
GROWTH
The Campus “utilizes an
interdisciplinary approach to
care including, behavioral
health, substance use disorder
counseling, case management,
and housing navigation”
-DonaJayne Potts,
Loma Linda University
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Partnering toimprove the healthof homelessindividuals
On June 27, 2024, the City was honored that
Kaiser approved a grant application for
$200,000.00, to be used to improve our client
management system, providing medical
equipment, and transportation for our Wellness
Center Recuperative Care clients.
KAISER GRANT
On August 20, 2024, the City Council took action
to approve the “Strengthening the Recuperative
Care Ecosystem in the Inland Region Grant” with
the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, providing the
City with $200,000.00. These funds will be used
for advancing the medical respite (recuperative
care) ecosystem by improving service quality at
the Wellness Center in the areas of client
management, medical equipment, and
transportation.
IN THE NEXT QUARTER THE WELLNESS
CENTER TEAM PLANS TO WORK TOWARDS
THE FOLLOWING MILESTONES:
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ADDITIONAL
GRADUATES INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING
SOLUTIONS
ENHANCED MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT
COMMUNITY GARDEN
PLANT READY
ENHANCED CLIENT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ON-SITE
RESOURCE FAIR
THE WELLNESS JOURNEY
CONTINUES