A few times a year, a SHIP comes through the Los Alamitos area. It brings with it just a handful of passengers, all of whom have hopes for a better future.
A few times a year, a SHIP comes through the Los Alamitos area. It brings with it just a handful of passengers, all of whom have hopes for a better future.
SHIP is the Self Help Interfaith Program and it is designed to provide a temporary shelter for homeless people and a chance to get a job, save some money and find permanent housing. SHIP uses various area churches, on a rotating basis, to house up to eight people for as many as two weeks.
Recently, a group of six current SHIP housing members spent two weeks at St. Hedwig Church before moving on to Good Shepard Presbyterian next door. Currently, the West County SHIP program has just fewer than 20 churches in the Los Alamitos, but is always looking for more. Currently the West County program also has houses of worship from Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Anaheim and Seal Beach involved.
SHIP coordinator at St. Hedwig, Susan Haggard, was part of getting her church involved in the program and has been a part of it for the 12 years the church has been involved the program. The program is an independent arm of the non-profit American Family Housing program in Midway City, but the program itself has no real funding. The program relies on the contributions of each house of religion where the guests stay.
“We love doing it,” Haggard said.
But it is not a free ride shelter. Guests must follow strict rules, including not having any violent criminal records and having been substance-free for at least 30 days prior to admittance. While in the program, guests must complete chores in the living area, and find work within 30 days. Guests are set up with a voicemail box and mailing address, as well as a bus pass.
A new guest can only be admitted if there is a personal advisor available to help keep them on track. Guests are assisted in putting together a resume and preparing for their job search. Guests who are able to stay on track can often find themselves with a job and enough money to get into housing in about four months.
Hagard said that it is a tough-love program that not always easy for guest to abide by. But the ones who do graduate are sent off with savings, support and a traditional hand-made quilt as a graduate gift.
“We wrap them up in our love,” Haggard said of the quilt.
When each house of worship takes its turn hosting the guests, the church members are set up as volunteers to donate food, help set up the temporary housing, cook, or whatever else is needed. There are also two volunteers each night to stay in the housing area with the guests overnight. Food is available for breakfast and sack lunches, and each night there is a family-style dinner for guests and volunteers.
In all, Hagard estimates that it takes the efforts of about 10 people per day to keep the program going for the two weeks it is at each church. Each guest also meets with their Program Advisor once a week. The PA is required and no guest can be accepted unless one is available to help them.
According to statistics from SHIP, since the program started in 1994, it has provided more than 28,000 nights of shelter for more than 600 guests. Of those 600, approximately 65 percent have left the program with full-time, or permanent employment. More than 30 percent left with their own housing, or were able to obtain it shortly after.
For more about the SHIP program call 714-235-9943, or visit www.shipinoc.org.