Updates from The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness

INNOVATION . . . INFORMATION . . . INSPIRATION . . .

November 6, 2009 Issue VI

November 6, 2009

CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF MAKES COMMITMENT AT SOLDIER ON! HOUSING EVENT

As a prelude to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 3-day "VA National Summit Ending Homelessness Among Veterans" this week where Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled a 5-year plan to end homelessness among veterans, two major events focused on preventing and ending homelessness for veterans through innovative strategies were the centerpiece of events led by Soldier On President and CEO John Downing in Western Massachusetts.

In Pittsfield, Massachusetts, ground was broken for the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community, a limited equity housing project named for the former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The new housing initiative is a first-of-its-kind project in the United States that will offer homeless veterans a chance to own their homes surrounded by the services they need.

Later the same day, at a gala event in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, received the 2009 Soldier On Award "for the commitment he has made to changing the end of the story for homeless veterans."

Under the leadership and with the vision of President and CEO Jack Downing, Soldier On has worked tirelessly to create a new, national model for addressing veteran homelessness. Downing's vision and his passion for serving veterans has sparked this organization to pioneer methods aimed not simply at providing a response to veteran homelessness but offering a permanent solution to the problem of homelessness.

The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness President and CEO Philip Mangano emphasized the importance of the housing and employment innovations Soldier On has put to work for men and women veterans. "The leadership of Soldier On's Jack Downing and Steve Como reminds us that our patriotic support for those who serve doesn't end when they get home. Rather our patriotism extends to ensure that when they come home they are served."

Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto also welcomed attendees at the groundbreaking, including Lt. Governor Tim Murray who chairs the state interagency council, State Senator Ben Downing, Jeffrey McCormick of Robinson/Donovan, Michael Tweed-Kent of General Dynamics, Joanne Sullivan of the Federal Home Loan Bank, and numerous federal and other partners and dignitaries. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Regional Coordinator John O'Brien, who serves on the VA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, also attended.

At Admiral Mullen's award event, the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust - a committed partner to ending veteran homelessness - represented by CEO Steve Coyle, was joined by ABC News's Bob Woodruff, who established the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation for Traumatic Brain Injury (BWFF) to raise money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and care following a traumatic brain injury suffered in service to their country.

Mr. Mansfield served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest personal decoration for valor in combat, as well as the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Mr. Mansfield is a recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award.

Admiral Mullen is the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest ranking officer in the United States Armed Forces. He previously served as the Navy's 28th Chief of Naval Operations and other four-star assignments include Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples; and 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

THE FIELD-TESTED INNOVATION OF A COMMUNITY CHAMPION FOR TEN YEAR PLAN RESULTS PASSES A LANDMARK IN ATLANTA

Atlanta Leadership

Joining Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Ten Year Plan Community Champion Horace Sibley, and United Way CEO Milton Little, American Round Table President and CEO and former United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano joined events marking a transition of the Atlanta Regional Commission on Homelessness which convened for the final Commission meeting under Mr. Sibley's chairmanship. Shown here are (left to right): Ray Buday, Philip Mangano, Mayor Franklin, Milton Little, Horace Sibley, and Michael German

"As chairman, I have witnessed the best in our community - people willing to work together to help our neighbors at a time when they are down at their lowest point," said Mr. Sibley. "We should all be proud of the progress we've made, but not rest on our laurels. There is still more work to be done, and I am confident that the new leadership will continue to further our community agenda of ending chronic homelessness."

The report of results achieved by Mayor Franklin documented how seriously the city and its partners took the call to put mainstream resources to work for people who are experiencing homelessness. With her leadership the outcomes are many: over $30 million raised from private donors, $22 million in bond funds to develop housing with support and assessment centers, 2000 units for those experiencing chronic homelessness, 600 for women and children. 1200 people moved into employment. Thousands reunited with family. Through Shelter to Home and Street to Home, 467 moved off the streets and out of the airport. Quicker access to Social Security by more people with more success. The new Gateway Center as the centerpiece and point of entry for new strategies.

"Right here in this region, this Commission, infused with the political will of Mayor Franklin and led by the United Way and the indomitable will of Chair Horace Sibley, your Commission has results and outcomes - not conjecture and inputs - but data to support our capacity to get the job done," indicated Mr. Mangano. "The result when strategic planning meets political and civic will. We don't need to guess about the accomplishments. And to see again Deb Starnes whose realistic and practical perspective are vital components of a strategy that asks the difficult questions and challenges the status quo. "

"There aren't adequate words to describe our gratitude to Horace and what he has done for those most vulnerable in our community," said Milton J. Little, Jr., United Way President. "Horace has taught us to not only see ourselves in the homeless men and women we encounter, but also to go the next step and help. He leaves a legacy of dedication and unparalleled commitment to service that inspires us all."

Under Mr. Mangano's aegis, Mr. Sibley, retired partner from the King and Spalding law firm and prominent in numerous local and national civic initiatives including the Olympics, was recognized by the Interagency Council with the 2006 "A Home for Every American" award for his work as Community Champion. The Champion was a breakthrough leadership development now replicated nationally to bring the business mindset and civic leadership of the private sector to the jurisdictional leadership and political will of local elected officials.

Mr. Mangano was introduced at the Commission meeting by current U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness National Team Leader Michael German, who is based in Atlanta. The Regional Commission will now be co-chaired by Mayor Franklin, Jack Hardin, senior partner of Rogers & Hardin, LLP, and Ray Buday, Executive Director of the Marietta Housing Authority.

According to the Commission, work will continue with the following priorities in the upcoming year include: sustaining the supportive housing created over the past few years; improving homeless people's access to health care; addressing mental illness among the homeless; supporting homeless women and children; and discharge planning for recently released inmates.

SERVICE TO AMERICA AWARD AFFIRMS THE ROLE OF PARTNERSHIP AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE RESULTS THROUGH JURISDICTIONAL TEN YEAR PLANS

"The nationally exemplary commitment of Michael German, National Team Leader of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, exemplifies the work of federal partnership with elected state, county, and city officials," affirmed Philip Mangano, President and CEO of The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness and, as former Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Mr. German's nominator for his recent national recognition as the Service to America winner of the Citizen Services medal from the Partnership for Public Service, which recognizes outstanding work by federal employees. Mr. German is shown here accepting his award at a Washington. DC ceremony.

"Michael German has provided the high-level and experienced leadership, engagement, and coordination essential to implementing nationally the Council's strategy," indicated Mr. Mangano. "Over the last four years, Mr. German, in his role as National Team Leader of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, has been key to the Council's results-oriented partnerships," he stated. "Governors, Mayors, and County Executives across the nation, through their new expression of political will, are committed to preventing and ending homelessness through jurisdictionally led, community based, business oriented planning partnerships that rely on innovation, business principles, and field-tested, evidence-based strategies."

As Team Leader of the federal Regional Coordinators across the nation that coordinate strategy for the field, Mr. German has helped mobilize expansive political, civic, and business partnership at the national, state, and local level. The major associations of Governors (NGA), Mayors, and County Executives (USCM, NLC, NACo) are directly engaged through this strategy under his leadership.

In addition to his daily work of providing experienced leadership to the Regional Coordinators in their efforts with local and state jurisdictional partners, Mr. German's career in public service has included work in both federal and local government. From 1972 to 1986, he managed, coordinated, and evaluated the effectiveness of more than 20 federal agencies as Individual Assistance Officer with FEMA. He served as District Manager for Congressman John Lewis, assisting top level executives, elected officials, community leaders, and public interest groups.

As Deputy Director of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs for the Atlanta Housing Authority, he was responsible for the development and implementation of strategic planning, public affairs, and legislative initiatives for the nation's fifth largest housing authority. He was director of Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson's Office of Grants Development for the City of Atlanta, engaging federal, state, and private funds. His long history of volunteer and civic service includes serving as a Founder of 100 Black Men of America and as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DeKalb County Chapter of 100 Black Men of America. He is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta 1991 and a member of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, as well as being included in "Who's Who in Black Atlanta." He was recognized by the Georgia Senate for his civic participation."

Thank you to the Partnership for Public Service for the photo.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT PARTNERS CELEBRATE "THE JOURNEY" TO CASA DE FRANCISCO AND NEW PERMANENT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS

"Five years ago to the day, September 16, 2004, I spoke here at the Immaculate Conception Board event that celebrated the evolution of your mission beyond shelter to housing. In my role as Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, I applauded the Board and Staff and Donors for that. In the five years since, federal funding for rapid rehousing and Housing First efforts increased dramatically from $55 million to more than $2 billion," indicated The American Round Table's CEO Philip Mangano.

Welcomed by Jacqueline M. Reardon, Board President and newly appointed Executive Director Frederick M. Lynn to the event at The Studio @ Billings Forge, which also featured the personal story of resident Jimmie Harrison, Mr. Mangano applauded the journey of the partners celebrated at the event highlighting the ground breaking for the 50-unit, 4-story new supportive housing construction project . "So five years ago you were talking the evolution of the mission. And tonight in acknowledging the journey to Casa de Francisco, you are walking that evolution.

The Immaculate Conception leadership celebrated the evolution of their mission and vision in moving to a housing focus, moving from managing the homelessness of their neighbors to solving their homelessness. That pilgrimage has had an impact on Immaculate Conception - in the boosted morale of staff, in the vision of the Board, and in the well being of homeless neighbors.

"That's a journey worth taking for you and the people you serve," affirmed Mangano. "A pilgrimage of thought, word, and deed that liberates us from the shackles of a demoralizing status quo to the solutions of remoralizing innovative initiatives. Chief among them being housing first."

Mr. Mangano also acknowledged the consistent leadership of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez (shown here) on the issue of homelessness. "In the many years I've known him, he has an unfailing commitment to Hartford's poorest, from his days at Trinity to City Hall. Mayor Perez has kept every promise he made to homeless people. He created a savvy Ten Year Plan. He supported innovations - Housing First, Project Homeless Connect, and the appointment of a Community Champion for the Plan. "

The Studio @ Billings Forge is one of the initiatives at Billings Forge Community Works located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford.

NEW ORLEANS MISSION CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO ITS POOREST NEIGHBORS AND LOOKS AHEAD TO NEW SOLUTIONS

"During my visits across the country in the last seven years, I became familiar with the work of this Mission and its leadership in this city in getting things done for homeless people," indicated Philip Mangano, President and CEO of The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness, as he keynoted the 20th anniversary gala of the New Orleans Mission.

The Mission, under the leadership of Ron Gonzales - a veteran who has been working with people who are homeless since 1976 - has much to celebrate in its history. Opened originally in 1989, the New Orleans Men's Facility has served an integral part in helping rebuild the lives of New Orleans residents. Run solely on donations and grants, this facility offers help to men in need. he Mission also provides an intense, one-year discipleship program for men with substance abuse issues that begins after a 30-day evaluation. The Mission's work program is for men who experience a sudden financial crisis, offering lodging and meals for up to four months to men with full-time employment. The Mission additionally provides shelter, meals and clothing on an emergency basis for up to 100 men per evening.

The gala, organized by CEO Gonzales, celebrated at Margaret Gardens Inn, founded in 1884 and dedicated to the Irish immigrant Margaret Goffney Haugherty who devoted her life to helping the needy and providing shelter for orphans. By establishing a bakery and dairy, she accumulated enough wealth to found seven orphanages with the help of her friends and the Daughters of Charity Organization.

"The work of this Mission - the mission of this work - is to create change in the lives of your poorest neighbors," affirmed Mr. Mangano. " Those who are suffering from the long misery and human tragedy of homelessness. "

"They may be there because of bad personal decisions. No doubt. They may be there because of bad public policy decisions. No doubt. Whichever, and no matter what race, gender, creed, or geography, the Mission is an open door. A doorway to change. This Mission has been dauntless in its efforts to relieve personal and family suffering for 20 years. And that after those two decades the most impactful and courageous days lie ahead as you enter your third decade. As part of your thinking as you reflect on the past, celebrate your accomplishments, and plan strategically for the future, this Mission can position itself to move beyond simply servicing homeless people to strategically solving their homelessness."

According to Mr. Gonzales, the New Orleans Mission opened in 1989 as an outreach program of the Los Angeles Mission. Prior to the Gulf Coast storms, the New Orleans Mission typically provided up to 30,000 free meals per month and 300 beds per night. The storm destroyed the family center, severely damaged the women's shelter and tore the roof off the men's shelter, causing complete disrepair of the facility. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the former Family Center building, but with continuing support from HomeAid, a $350,000 donation from The Federal Home Loan and Bank Foundation and a $750,000 donation from Ameriquest Mortgage, the Mission now has a brand-new, sustainable-design Family Center.

LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS TEN YEAR PLAN PARTNERS CONVENE REPLICABLE "MIXTURE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION" FOCUSED ON CONSUMERS

"I am so glad to be here with Lowell City Manager Bernard Lynch, with whom I stood last year and with Mayor Caulfield as the new Ten Year Plan was rolled out," affirmed Philip Mangano, President and CEO of The American Round Table To Abolish Homelessness. "I would like to take some of his City Manager DNA and spread it around the country to replicate the creative work going on in Lowell. I appreciate being with him again and also affirm his focus on the needs of the most vulnerable and disabled."

Mangano keynoted the first of a year-long series of conferences that will serve as a replicable model of accessing mainstream resources as the "City of Mills" continues to implement the Ten Year Plan unveiled in June 2008 by the Mayor. Partners from across the region convened last week for the first of the "Keys to Ending Homelessness" conferences at the University of Massachusetts Conference Center. He especially commended Linda King, City of Lowell Community Development Specialist, "who has worked so hard on the Ten Year Plan and on this important implementation series of conferences which kick off today."

"It was a perfect mixture of encouragement and inspiration plus information: head and heart," noted one attendee. " I was all set for statistics and forms - but your speakers (and every one of them was articulate, to the point, yet personable) enlivened their talks with humor and spirit."

Mr. Mangano, introduced by Joe Finn of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, affirmed the partnership at work in the implementation conferences, noting especially Marianne Pelletier, Welfare-to-Work Coordinator for the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office Staff, Massachusetts Department of Disability Determination Services [DDS] represented by Clare Deucher, Massachusetts Departments of Mental Health and Public Health, and expert presenters Dr. Jim O'Connell, Boston Health Care for the Homeless; Larry Gottlieb, Elliot Community Human Services; Brian Forsythe, Resource Partnership of Natick; Lisa Matrundola, MA Department of Labor; and Gail Havelick addressing family issues. Other conference series sponsors included Merrimack Valley Regional Network and University of Massachusetts Medical School Benefits Center.

Social Security Prtner

"Kudos to our federal partners from the United States Social Security Administration, including Steve Richardson, who over the last seven-plus years have been so instrumental to achieving results in forwarding the goal of ending the homelessness of our most vulnerable and disabled neighbors, lowering barriers and increasing access," indicated Mangano, shown here with Steve Richardson of SSA.

"SSA moved from funding and expending to investing in outcomes, concentrating - not dissipating resources, to achieve new results through the multi-year HOPE awards and the SOAR initiative to states."

"And measuring those results - enrollments, resources brought to the community, money saved, placements in housing, value of medical, treatment, and support services leveraged," he noted. "Sustaining or inaugurating community investments will be enhanced through such results oriented data."

The Conference included sessions on How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits; Housing First for Chronically Homeless Individuals; SS Benefits for Homeless Families and Children; Successfully Navigating the SSI/SSDI Maze on Behalf of Homeless Persons; Understanding Work Incentives: Returning to Work While on SSI/SSDI; and Strategies for Engaging Homeless Persons in the SSI/SSDI Application Process.

Upcoming conferences in the Lowell series will be: Education, Employment & Business Incentives ~ March 5, 2010; Mainstream Benefits for the Homeless ~ June 11, 2010; and Trauma Informed Care for the Homeless ~ October 29, 2010.

Lowell's Ten Year Plan focused on several key strategies: prevent homelessness; end individual and street homelessness; rapidly re-house families who become homeless and minimize the impact of homeless on children; identify at-risk youth and end youth homelessness; ensure that seniors can age in the

community in peace and safety; move beyond shelter to housing; develop employment and educational assets; and administer and oversee the Action Plan, measure progress and evaluate success.

In addition, the Plan embraced Housing First/Rapid Re-housing, called for local cost-benefit analysis study, prioritized prevention and intervention, had specific strategies to prevent and end homelessness among veterans, adopted the Four Tier Model for reducing homelessness identified in the Massachusetts Commission Report, and committed to an annual Project Homeless Connect event.

CAPE COD PARTNERS JOIN TO FORWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO END HOMELESSNESS

SOUTH YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS. "Tonight I am glad to be with all of you Good Samaritans in the full sense of the word. Not just a 'drive-by' approach. But in keeping with the Good Samaritan of old, ensuring movement to a place to live and support in that place," Mr. Mangano told the Cape partners. "What a great legacy you are building here: homes, home ownership, rehabs, revamps, advocacy, nearly 50 churches, 500 volunteers."

"Cape Habitat is ignited with this mission. And like an old Cape Cod lighthouse - you are chartering a course away from danger and back home. "

Cape Cod Habitat for Humanity, celebrating its 20th anniversary and soon to open a neighborhood of "green" housing construction, convened more than 130 Cape partners recently to hear from American Round Table President Philip Mangano, also a local Cape Cod resident, who was introduced by Board President Donna Baldwin.

Executive Director Victoria Goldsmith noted that Habitat's 33-year national track record provides a results-oriented record of education, support, and mentoring that have always been an integral part of Habitat's program, yielding in these difficult times foreclosure rate has always been significantly lower than national average.

Cape Cod Habitat will soon open a new neighborhood of thirteen homes for first-time homebuyers who will benefit from land donated by the Town of Harwich and 'green' buildings standards.

HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS.

The Round Table's CEO Philip Mangano joined Housing Assistance Corporation [HAC] Executive Director Rick Presbrey as Honorary Chair of the 24th Annual Cape Walk to End Homelessness to benefit HAC. In his remarks before the walk, Mr. Mangano affirmed the long-time regional partnership of HAC in housing solutions and especially pointed to the effectiveness of their family homelessness prevention program.

This year's walk departed from the village green in Falmouth and the Angel House Family Shelter on South Street, Hyannis. Former Barnstable County Commissioner Mary LeClair also took part in the event, which was sponsored by Sovereign Bank, The Community Bank, several local radio stations, and numerous local partners.

HAC, founded in 1974, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the housing needs of all residents of Cape Cod and the Islands, providing emergency shelter, over 800 Section 8 rent subsidies, education and training, and new housing development totaling over 350 units.

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