Friday, December 6, 2024

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers

Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers

Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers announced a ribbon cutting ceremony for invited guests and members of the press at its Lincoln City Hope Center on November 1, 2023 at 10a.m. The property is at 3454 NE Hwy 101.

Behind the subdued exterior of the building lies a myriad of beds, offices and services to help raise people out of homelessness.

In a Lincoln City Homepage exclusive interview, Facility Director Ashley Cushing spoke to me about the facility and gave me a private early tour.

According to Cushing, “The men’s and women’s emergency shelters will be ‘low barrier’ meaning there will be no Urinalysis (UA)/drug testing. They can come in and be here anywhere from one night to thirty days.  We can extend that  if it makes sense.  Maybe someone will be waiting on a treatment bed or relocation or an apartment.”

She continued, “If they join our program we are putting them up in our top building (for women) and men would stay in this building.

Resident’s beds

Men’s re-entry is all in the same building. They can stay six to twelve months but we’re not asking them to leave if they are taking steps toward self sufficiency.  That could be pushing two years-if it really took that long.

Before we ask anyone to leave we want to really ask ourselves, ‘is this going to make someone homeless?'”

The facility was bright and clean sporting fresh paint jobs and all new equipment with Cushing continually apologizing for the “mess” of renovation while they were getting ready for the grand opening.  Her excitement and enthusiasm for the program was as obvious as the bright yellow exterior paint job 

Common dining area

There is a communal kitchen and dining room for residents to cook their own meals. Currently, all foods on site have been donated by Food Share.

Kitchen area for meal preparation.

The facility also has clothes washers and dryer for clients to clean their clothing. And multiple showers for personal hygiene. 

Laundry room.

As to what is asked of the residents in order to continue living at Hope, Cushing said,

“When they join the ‘program’ we need to get a clean UA.  We have program requirements so case management can create an individualized re-entry program plan.  We help them get documentation they might need like a Social Security card, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc…to help them start applying for housing.

We also help everyone here get a food handlers card.  We have workshops that are required, self improvement classes.  We will host things here on site and we will have outside agencies come in to teach classes from recovery to financial empowerment to parenting-it could even be an art class.  We want to keep people busy.”

I asked if the residents will be asked to contribute anything to their upkeep.  Cushing said,

“When they join the program they pay a ‘Due.’ A ‘Due’ is two hundred and fifty dollars per month.  We don’t turn anyone away if they don’t have it; we have scholarships.”

She continued, “We have other funding streams we can look at like OHP (Oregon Health Plan) Flex funding, outside agencies will help support or they (the client) can help fund their own stay.

It’s really so that people are invested in themselves, are having on-time’ payments again.  That gives us the ability to give a rental reference.

We don’t want to create barriers to entering the program.”

I asked if there were any other requirements of the clients while staying on site;

“There are volunteer hours.  If they are not employed or only working part time-it’s ten hours. If they work full time-it’s five hours.  They can get their hours here or at an outside non-profit-their choice.”

According to Communications Manager Bethany Verrett, 

“This facility seeks to provide navigation services, low-barrier emergency shelter, and a long-term Re-entry Program for the people in the community experiencing homelessness.”

Cushing said, “I’m so excited to be opening up the doors to the Lincoln City Hope Center.

There can be many challenges living in a rural community but having a safe place to sleep should not be one of them. We plan to offer services that are targeted to the population that we serve; by partnerships with several local programs that will be able to refer individuals and families to our emergency shelter.

I want to personally thank everyone who believes in our mission. We are so thankful for past, present, and future support!”

Communications Manager Bethany Verrett continued,

“Helping Hands first opened a facility in Lincoln County in 2006, opening up a men’s shelter and later a women’s shelter. In 2019, the opportunity to partner with the community in a closer way presented itself when the City of Lincoln City identified homelessness as a critical priority and offered to purchase a facility to donate to Helping Hands.

The property was transferred to Helping Hands in 2020.

After extensive renovations, the newest Hope Center is open and ready to bring care for the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Lincoln City and the surrounding communities.

A sign for encouragement at the entry

CEO Mike Davis offered, “This has been a long and difficult project to finish because of many unanticipated needs that had to be addressed, The community partnership has been a key part of getting us to this day.

Thank you to The City of Lincoln City, The Roundhouse Foundation, Project Turnkey 2.0, and the Oregon Community Foundation; your support allowed us to make the necessary renovations.”

Verrett said, “There will be a Grand Opening for community partners and stakeholders before the end of November, and then the Hope Center will begin accepting referrals, processing intakes, and providing services.

For more information about Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers, you can visit our website at www.helpinghandsreentry.org.

To learn more about becoming a referral partner for the Lincoln City Hope Center, please email [email protected]








Don Williams
Don Williamshttps://lincolncityhomepage.com
Don Williams serves as publisher and editor of The Lincoln City Homepage.

7 COMMENTS

  1. I’ll be shocked if they have any better than a 20% success rate. Especially with no drug testing or on site counseling.

    • They do drug test in the reentry program. The emergency shelter is low barrier with no drug testing/ breathalyzer and no fees and up to a 30 day stay with compliance. This is so there aren’t more barriers for people in need. Not all people will want off drugs but everyone deserves a helping hand in a time of need regardless. That does not mean people can bring drugs into shelter, use on site or be under the influence of anything. They can refer folks to detox if wanted and also have Phoenix Wellness Center on site. They have lots of resources and if someone is in need/ want of a counselor then they will get them connected with one. A person who is wanting to join reentry has to qualify to join the program and have a clean UA before entry. They then are given a color for random UAs.

    • I was in the Tillamook helping hands they do drug testing when you go to the reentry program. I know several people who left there and got there own place. I’m sure the success rate is over 20%

  2. Helping two homeless persons out of ten is 200% better than ZERO.
    Homelessness was created by Ronald Reagan decades ago with voter support.
    Homelessness continues to worsen and the Federal Gov’t. takes no responsibility.
    In a plutocratic system, we are all potentially at risk for becoming homeless.

  3. I feel that this program will go a long way and last for years only for those who are absolutely serious about wanting to stay off of drugs and stay clean by getting involved in any AA or NA meetings, and getting a sponsor and figuring out their why’s of wanting to fight for getting and staying clean from all drugs ❤️

  4. this is a cool place and has helped me out. they do testing for drugs and alcohol if you r in the re entry program. I think its in a good locatiion.

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