Program Chair John Angelo introduced the speaker of the day that had been secured by Susan Nicholson, Amy Schwabenlender, Executive Director of the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix speaking to us on the topic of homelessness. 

 

Prior to joining the Human Services Campus as Executive Director in 2018, Amy spent 13 years as VP of Community Impact for Valley of the Sun United Way, where she worked to end hunger and homelessness and to increase the financial stability of individuals and families in Maricopa County. A 2016 Piper Fellow and a graduate of Valley Leadership, she holds a BS in Business Administration and Communica-tions from Trinity University in San Antonio and an MBA from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Steve Davis, Director of Develop-ment was also on the Zoom call.

 

The Human Services Campus is a non-profit, private, government and community collaboration of 16 partner organizations located on a 13 acre campus in downtown Phoenix with the shared outcome of ending homelessness for people everyday. The campus provides wrap-around services for adults (not families) experiencing homelessness. They collaborate with partner tenants to provide complementary, holistic services. Some of the partners/ services she overviewed include:

 

The Brian Garcia Welcome Center that helps clients receive services more expeditiously by providing assessments. One of the goals is to divert individuals from homelessness by reuniting them with family and friends. They see between 800 1,000 people a day—single adults, not families.

 

 

Circle the City that provides primary healthcare, mental health and substance abuse services for homeless men and women. They assist with individuals discharged from hospitals but with nowhere else to go.

Community Bridges, Inc. provides substance abuse and mental health services and more. 

Homeless Court: The Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court was established to resolve outstanding misdemeanor warrants for homeless individuals. Individuals who owe fines for victimless crimes such as “camping” can use their time in transitional programs as community service in exchange for having their fines waived. Very often it is this burden that can keep an individual homeless. After their fines have been waived they can start fresh on their path to self-sufficiency 

Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS): CASS empowers individuals with diverse needs to end their homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services. CASS provides beds and facilities for 470 guests every night on the HSC Campus. COVID-19 crisis have challenged the space due to maintaining 6ft between beds. The day room now houses 47 individuals. 

Amy indicated that the club would be welcome to visit the 13 acre campus at some point in time. There are both 45 minute and two-hour tours. 

Our thanks to Susan and John for securing/introducing our speaker and to our speaker for her most informative presentation. A book in Amy’s honor will be donated to an Osborn District School when things get a bit back to normal!