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19 Aug 2020

Meet Patty, a Resident of Beacon Village

Homeless, Not Hopeless Patty was homeless, struggling with alcoholism and living on the streets when she was referred to The Kitchen, Inc.’s Community Housing program. Through The Kitchen, Inc., Patty was able to sign a lease for an apartment at Beacon Village, one of The Kitchen, Inc.’s affordable housing properties. Working Towards Sobriety Once housed, Patty began working on the barriers that led to her homelessness. Alcoholism was a huge barrier to living a healthy, stable life. Her case manager, Nancy Galetti, connected Patty to MSU Care and Burrell Behavioral Health. Part of Patty’s treatment includes injections once a month…

11 Aug 2020

Meet Maria, a Case Manager in Community Housing

I am a Community Housing case manager for chronically homeless individuals. I have been with The Kitchen, Inc. for almost two years. More than a Job Being a case manager for the homeless is more than a job. It’s a calling, a love-hate relationship of give and take, ups and downs, successes and defeats. It’s a “never the same day twice” kind of job that fills you with pride when things go right and hurts your heart when they go wrong. At its simplest, my job is to empower others to bring about change in their lives. At its most…

05 Aug 2020

116 Children Served by Community Housing Since January

Since January, Community Housing has served 255 people, including 116 children and 6 individuals aged 62 or older. The program is on track to surpass total served numbers from 2019 (298 served, with 130 children and 8 individuals 62 or older). What is Community Housing? Community Housing is a program of The Kitchen, Inc. designed to help families and individuals quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. We use the Housing First model to place people in safe, affordable housing, and then address the barriers that led to their homelessness. Housing First recognizes the need for safety and shelter…

22 Jul 2020

Road to Stability

Our spotlight this week features a 51-year-old Army Veteran. He was happy to share his story but wished to remain anonymous. Growing Up Old School This Veteran grew up in Springdale, AR and “found out real early there is nothing in life for free.” At nine years old, he began working with his dad blocking mud on construction sites. He recalls returning to school in the fall as “quite a buff kid.” He credits his country, old-school upbringing for his work- and life-ethic. Connecting to Home at Last After losing his home, this Veteran found Home at Last after talking…

14 Jul 2020

Life of a Case Manager

As a case manager, we are steadily finding the balance between office work and providing direct real-time service to our Veteran clients while out in the community. No day is the same as life happens, and we handle ongoing circumstances as they occur. Working the Case We are present at the beginning stages when a Veteran is looking for permanent housing, but really step in after they are housed. It is unrealistic to expect someone to focus on other goals before their basic needs of shelter and safety are met. Once the Veteran is stably housed, we help the Veteran…

07 Jul 2020

Meet Glendy, a Veteran served by Home at Last

Glendy is a 62-year-old Army Veteran from Riverside, IL. She spent about 20 years in Sacramento, CA before finding her way to Springfield over a year ago. Glendy became homeless in 2019 after fleeing an abusive and hostile environment. Finding Home at Last Glendy found Home at Last through a referral from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Within a month, she was able to move into her new apartment. Glendy likes her landlord and was happy to find a place that allows her Cocker Spaniel, Artemis, to stay with her. Working Towards Stability Once stably housed, Glendy worked with her…

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