Advocacy for Ending Homlessness

On August 19, 2008, Christian Community Action (CCA) celebrated both the unveiling of its new brand and the launching of the 1,000 Days – 1,000 Lives Transformed Campaign. CCA’s new brand includes a new logo which features a dove taking flight from an open hand and represents our new mission and statement– Transforming lives, ending homelessness in Porter County.

CCA provides a safe haven for individuals and families to build solid foundations through education, counseling and support to motivate and empower them to become productive economic and community contributors.

In order to provide help to those facing a wide range of challenges, CCA has launched our 1,000 Days – 1,000 Lives Transformed Campaign.

CCA knows that the only way to truly address increasing poverty levels is to slow or stop the number of people who are currently living in it. Our community is being tasked and Federally-charged to end homelessness within 10 years. We are committed to working with members of other agencies, the local business community, and citizens to provide the tools needed to assist those in need.

As we start this 1,000 Day Campaign, we realize we don’t have all of the solutions and answers; what we do have is a plan that will lead us in the right direction. Our plan for the immediate future is as follows:

Leadership Consensus Building:

• First 100 days will be dedicated to discussions, planning and finalizing needs based on stakeholder and community leader input and feedback.

Partnership/Collaborations

• We will redefine our long-time relationship with Porter-Starke to address the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on homelessness.
• We will develop a formal partnership with the Gabriel’s Horn organization to reach more people in need, more efficiently and effectively. This collaboration will serve as a model for future partnerships.
• We will build community-wide awareness and recruit involvement for the Coalition for Affordable Housing’s efforts to address the HUD charge to end homelessness in ten years.

Expansion of programs

• We hope to offer an array of life skills and job training classes.
• We look forward to the ability to serve clients pre and post-residency.
• We will provide classes and case management to recipients of Emergency Assistance or others at risk of losing their homes.

Development of new programs

• We hope to implement front door to homeless/emergency assistance services in the community for homeless or low income citizens.

How can you help?

• Meet with CCA to discuss our plans and provide feedback.
• Share our mission with friends, family, and/or business associates to help define solutions that will assist people in need. Our hope is that they, in turn, will become a new group of individuals who will also positively impact our communities.
• Volunteer to help with a class, a project, or host an informational/educational event.
• Learn about the problems. How we are planning to address them, and tell friends about the opportunity to get involved and change lives.