| South Texas Goes from Homelessness to Hope with ServicePoint and ART! |
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“Honestly, the rest of the corporate world could learn a lot from Bowman Systems® and Most of the people who work in the social services industry do what they do because of the opportunity to play a part in the process of helping someone in need. That is what makes comments like those recently received from Jim Welvaert, Homeless Prevention Program Director for Mid-Coast Family Services (www.midcoastfamily.org) in Victoria, Texas, music to the ears of the Bowman Systems® team.
The organization began using ServicePoint in 2006 and now uses ServicePoint to manage data related to Emergency Shelter Grants, HPRP and the Gateway Program, which provides housing and assistance to chronically homeless men. Using ServicePoint with ART, Welvaert regularly generates performance reports for all three programs. “We also just submitted a HUD request for renewal using ServicePoint to provide all the required data,” reported Welvaert. “ServicePoint has the HUD required data reporting down to a science, and it captures information for use in multiple reports automatically so you don’t have to enter it two or three times.” Bowman System’s recent assistance with ART and HPRP reporting earned Welvaert’s praise. Although there are many successes at Mid-Coast Family Services, one that Welvaert is particularly proud of is Hobo Creations, an arts and crafts business developed by and for men participating in the Gateway project. Gateway provides housing and other resources necessary for previously homeless men to get their lives back on track. Many of the participating men discovered that they had a common bond: a strong need to be useful and a desire to be creative. Over time, many gifts and talents emerged from the group. Hobo Creations offers leather goods such as cell phone cases and book covers, as well as a variety of wood products including handmade rockers, tables, planters and birdhouses. “Nothing boosts confidence like making something yourself that is marketable and a reflection of your talent,” said Welvaert. The implementation of the HPRP program has also seen immediate positive results. Because of Mid-Coast’s involvement in schools (for substance abuse education), several cases w The helpful attitude and a host of innovative programs inspire many in South Texas to turn their lives around. Unfortunately, Welvaert said the need for homeless services in a floundering economy is still growing. “In my opinion, Texas is just now beginning to feel the effects of the economy and increased joblessness.” “We are seeing more and more cases where a whole family is homeless, as well as many instances where families are doubled or tripled up in a small apartment. Our goal is to offer tangible hope in the form of housing and services that will allow clients to create a brighter and more self-sufficient future for their families. Making use of tools like ServicePoint, which increases efficiency, is more important than ever.” To download this Highlight, click here.
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“What I like about Bowman Systems is that they respond in a timely manner to our needs and in a way that is very helpful,” said Welvaert. “They do their job right so that we can spend our time doing what we do best --- helping those most in need in our community. Honestly, the rest of the corporate world could learn a lot from Bowman Systems and how they treat customers.”
ere identified by staff where families were overcrowded or sharing a small living space with relatives. Although these situations were not considered “homeless” by the school district, the families did qualify for assistance under HPRP, and were moved into temporary housing.