Diving Right In!

The DIGS Transitional

Living Program from the Ground

Up!

Difference Between a Shelter and a TLP

• Shelter~ typically short term-3 weeks average• Transitional Living Program (TLP)~typically

longer term and are used more to assist in getting individuals back on their feet- job skills, their own place, etc.

A little about us• Population of Saline County-23,280• Population of Marshall-13,013• School district of 2,374 students• Saline County Poverty level of 16.7% in 2009• County Free and Reduced Lunch Rate-

56.7% in 2010

Roots• Origin of the Idea- Saline County Prosperity

Team• Gaps in service• Lack of Youth Shelter/TLP within 30 miles

Focus Group•A focus group was formed•Individuals were invited as well as community announcements were made•The first focus group meeting was well attended •Items on the agenda included the need as well as the support that may be available in our community

Board of Directors

• A Board of Directors was formed• Individuals who had been in attendance at

focus group meetings were asked to be on the board

• Key strategy is to get individuals from different positions in the community.

Mission Statement

To provide homeless youth between the ages of 16-21 with the opportunity to develop into successful adults by providing them access to: – Shelter– Counseling– Mentoring– Education and Employment Opportunities– Community Health and Human Services

Point in Time Study~ November 2011

Homeless Youth (age 16 and up) from Marshall High School– 18 students-living with their immediate

family and sharing the housing of someone else due to economic hardship

– 9 students-unaccompanied youth whose housing situation changes often

(these are students the District Social Worker had actual contact with)

March 2011 Anonymous Survey Results

(given to all MHS students)

#1- Are you currently, or have you ever been in a homeless situation? Yes/No - If yes, please explain briefly where you stay(ed). –40 students answered yes to

this question

Homeless Youth• Neglect and Abuse including:

Physical/Sexual/Mental• Poverty• At-Risk for Dropping Out of School• Formerly in Foster Care (36% of youth aging out of foster

care become homeless, Child Welfare League of America)

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse • Problematic Survival Behaviors• Generational Problems

Homeless Youth Needs

• Housing• Employment• Health/Mental Health Services• Supportive Relationships/Role Models• Education• Independent Living Skills

Program Overview

•Transitional Living Program•Placement for up to 18 months•For youth ages 16-21•Help students transition towards independent and self-sufficient living•Free and confidential service

Incorporation• Becoming Incorporated• The application process• Visit your Secretary of State website or office• Length of the waiting process

501(c)(3)• To be considered a tax exempt

organization/business in the state of Missouri you must have 501(c)(3) status

• The application process• Length of process• Received 501(c)(3) status Spring 2012

Community Buy-In? Or Not??

• Spreading the word– Powerpoint– Presentations– Handouts– Newspaper– Word of mouth– Talk about it whenever you can

Yes, we believe we have community buy-in.

Grant Applications-What You Don’t Know…

• DUNS Number• Applications are difficult to find at times• They have very specific requirements• Grants sometimes require “matching” funds

What now?• This is always a question of ours….• Do we start fundraising?– If so how?

• Do we begin by getting more community buy-in?

• Do we wait for grants?

Accomplishments

• Incorporation• 501(c)(3) status• Fundraising kickoff planned• Walmart grant submitted• Contract on a home

Future HomeA contract has been placed on this home….

Goals• Raise funds to run the program• Fix up the home• Staff the program• Serve our first homeless youth

Fundraising Plans

• Kick-off dinner event• Themed events based around the “Turn on

the Light” theme– Glow run– Glow golf– Glow dinner/party– Glow zumba

Organization Contact Information

Lindsey Parton660-886-7414

lparton@marshallschools.com