Fort Lyon soaring toward anniversary
By Anthony A. Mestas, The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"We've enrolled 223 residents here and our goal was 200," said
"We currently have 186 residents here. We are serving 18 counties in
Ginsburg said 11 percent of the homeless people in
"We wanted to meet at least that much here. We serve 51 veterans so we tend to be right around 25 percent veterans served. We are excited that we more than doubled that goal," he said.
The center serves homeless clients who are mentally ill, alcoholics, drug addicts or veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome. They come voluntarily and are free to leave any time they choose. They may stay from 90 days up to two years.
In its first 10 months, there has been 20 percent turnover over rate for its residents. A total of 10 people have completed the program and 21 have voluntarily discharged before completing their goals.
Ginsburg said six residents have been involuntarily discharged mainly for substance use on campus.
"It's designed as a two-year program, but some people are ready to transition out. There's people who feel that they have met their goals and have stayed clean and sober for almost a year," Ginsburg said.
"We are really working hard on the reintegration piece."
Higher learning
At the same time, the program also is rigorously attempting to give residents a chance to get college certification in health navigation and other courses during their stay at the facility.
There are 49 residents enrolled in college programs through
"Community health worker programs are a really expanding industry with health care reform. We are real excited about that being a practical application for our residents," Ginsburg said.
Across the country several health care systems are utilizing health navigator programs.
"Our folks are particularly adept at navigating systems because they have been doing it their whole lives. They are being trained to help others navigate the health care system, so it is really a nice fit," he said.
Residents also are enrolled in business technology courses and general education courses including English, math and computer applications. There also is a cosmetology course available.
OJC has brought instructors to
Once a resident completes two semesters, they are able to attend classes at the OJC campus.
"We will have our first cohort of residents attending classes at OJC this fall," Ginsburg said.
More programs will be available this fall at
There, residents will have the opportunity to take courses in renewable energy, welding and construction trades.
"We are taking people who really have kind of given up on decades of street living and addiction and finding that once they are getting clean and sober, they really are pretty intelligent and talented," Ginsburg said.
Her and other students were
working in class on
"We enjoy it here and the opportunity to take these courses," she said.
Infrastructure
Ginsburg, a seasoned professional with 23 years of experience working with the homeless, designed the program at
The residents also have been part of programs to fix the infrastructure at the aging facility.
"The infrastructure of the campus had a number of issues. The whole sewer system was collapsing," Ginsburg said.
The residents teamed up with
"They installed water valves throughout the whole campus so that the water flow can be better managed," Ginsburg said.
"We have about 94 preemployment modules. The residents continue to run along with paid staff in the kitchen and housekeeping."
Ginsburg said residents even helped make curtains, build screens and build shelves for every residential room.
"They also do all the groundskeeping along with
They've also painted the interior of several buildings and have set up an internet cafe, computer lab and even a post office.
"We really want them to structure their own time when they are here so they can be prepared to do it when they leave," Ginsburg said.
"The beauty of this place is that they get an opportunity to sort of learn a new way of living while they are here so that they can translate that."
Ginsburg said some residents will transition into the housing development located on the
"Residents are currently remodeling 10 of the houses," Ginsburg said.
Lifesaving program
Feedback from residents during a tour of the facility on
Residents said they feel safe and think they have a better chance of success than in traditional programs.
"This has been a change in my life. It has giving me motivation. We were living like bums with no direction," said
"I was always a hard worker, but I always had alcohol problems. I needed something like this."
Chavarria and his friend
"It's fantastic here," Rocha said.
"I didn't have direction or a clue of what I was going to do. I was scared to death and having come to a place that gives you awareness and lets you look at yourself and find your strengths has been amazing."
The facility also has partnered with
"I was afraid that we would overwhelm them because sometimes we would bring 40 people to the meetings that usually would have two to three people," Ginsburg said.
"They tell us that we have totally brought new life into the AA community in the
Residents in the 12-step program are getting sponsors in the community as well.
Community
"That will be our ultimate capacity at this point," he said.
The cost of the program to the state so far has been about
Community interaction has increased in several ways including donation of clothing and personal items, church programs, medical services and mental health assistance.
Facility makeup
Of the 223 people served, 107 are from
There are currently 100 people on a waiting list to get into the program.
"This could not be possible without the welcoming of the community," Ginsburg said.
"We want to give this resource back to the community. It's always been closed to them. I was surprised how many people have never been to this campus.
"We will continue to try and open it up for everyone that wants to visit this campus."
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(c)2014 The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.)
Visit The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colo.) at www.chieftain.com
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