Page 39 - LTHC Publics Catalog, Spring 2018 Update

EMPLOYEE INTERVIEW NOTES

Employee Interview (11/3/2017)

Question 1: In what ways has LTHC grown since you first started working here?

• The mission hasn’t changed, but the way they do their mission has changed.

• There’s more of a willingness for people to come here.

• Compassion has increased.

• Numbers in guests, employees, volunteers, have gone up throughout the years.

• The center used to be for families only with minimal mental illness help. The agency has grown in the aspect
of accepting everyone now and more help with mental problems.

• “1,000X bigger now than when I first started.”

• Homelessness has changed drastically with much more complicated people to assist.

• “I think the biggest area of growth for us was moving from transitional -- 12 month housing that only got
them on their feet and then they were out-- to full time, permanent housing. With the 12 month housing, a lot
of times people were not ready to be fully on their own and we would see them coming back. We didn’t want
that. So the change has been good.”

• Jennifer: Philosophies-- more about the system now. Client has to fit the program; we have certain criteria
now. More on outcome rather than the person himself. We have a new focus: housing first. We will provide
you with housing. Also, we are thinking more broadly-- rather than the one-size-fits-all model that we were
using in the past. LTHC looks at homelessness as a system. Homelessness is a system within itself. Not just an
agency, but rather the largest agency. The number of people over the years has grown, but we have also had a
shift in mindset. Homelessness is a community-- working more closely together. Thus, is everyone doing his
part. Another focus was on the family-- we assess every family in the same way. We have been working more
to place families in emergency shelters -- because at other overnight shelters in the area there is often no room
if they cannot get there to get a ticket/pass in time.

• Budget has grown from $100,000 to $1.7 million.

• Clientele and evening meal attendance have grown astronomically.

• Astronomical growth in volunteers

• Number of staff has doubled.
Question 2: In what areas do you feel LTHC is doing a good job at helping its guests?

• Availability - “we’re here and available and ready to listen and give them assistance and assess their situation.”

• Giving guests ways to resolve the barriers that put them in homelessness

• Residence Programs that help guests get into permanent housing

• Trying to give people help for their mental illness

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