This document discusses the history and activities of two consumer advocacy boards - the Chatham-Chatham Consumer Advocacy Board of Healthcare (CCABoH) and the Homeless Helping Homeless (HHH) program. CCABoH was established in 2002 and has advocated for issues related to healthcare for the homeless. HHH was established in 2010 and aims to educate the community and empower change through advocacy to end homelessness. Both groups hold regular meetings, conduct advocacy activities like meetings with officials, and work to overcome obstacles like engagement and recruitment.

1. Consumer Advocacy Boards: Becoming Part of the Solution Wednesday, July 14

3. CCABoH History CCABoH initiated at Union Mission, Inc. in 2002 to offer consumer leadership and feedback to Healthcare for the Homeless Program at the JC Lewis Health Care Center. CCABoH primarily worked on issues related to health care, mental health care, and other issues at Union Mission until 2006.

4. Stepping Out In 2006, CCABoH decided to seek its own non-profit status to assist the community in bringing new funding sources to programs for the homeless and at risk. Founding member Howard Jackson launched a blog to better keep in touch with youth trained in advocacy through UMI’s service learning curriculum.

5. More Change! In 2009, CCABoH moved out of Union Mission meeting space and into a new meeting space at SOURCE/Candler Adult Day Center. In 2010, CCABoH partners with Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness and works toward creating a statewide consumer advocacy group.

6. Monthly Meetings Meetings are held every second Monday and follow Robert’s Rules of Order. The board operates under a charter and by-laws. CCABoH member Renee Kennedy attends board meetings of both Union Mission, Inc. and Chatham/Savannah Homeless Authority.

7. Advocacy and Education Meetings with elected officials in Savannah, Atlanta and DC Quarterly Newsletter Holds 1st Homeless Memorial Day in Savannah in 2009 Public speaking at GAEH and NAEH conferences Howard Jackson works with youth at UMI

8. Obstacles to overcome Recruitment has changed with our move out of shelter facilities Engagement has changed since community liaison members no longer work within the Savannah agencies working on homelessness issues Involvement in state and national advocacy issues less concrete for members

10. HHH Creed I Choose to believe change is possible I Choose to be an avid listener I choose to respect others and their opinions I choose to bring my gifts to the table and share them I choose to commit to ending homelessness

11. The Beginnings: HHH Purpose: Building Bridges = EDUCATION Empowering Change = CHANGING LIVES Ending Homelessness = ADVOCACY

12. The Beginnings: HHH History Began with voting / candidates forum First public speaking revealed POWER of personal stories

13. The Details: HHH Who: Currently, Formerly, & Potentially Homeless When: Every Wednesday at 12:00 Where: Urban Ministry Center, local soup kitchen and service center

15. Rotating Facilitator

16. Creed

17. Open Forum

18. Guidelines for participation

20. Structure: Leadership Responsibilities Deciding meeting agendas Vetting ideas from Open Forum Set advocacy agenda on annual basis

22. To Become a Member

23. Must attend 3 meetings

24. Sit down with membership coordinator to go over program and with program director to set life goals

25. Take new members 1st Wednesday of the month

27. Actions: Solidarity Sleep-out Goal: Implement 10 Year Plan – 250 more year-round shelter beds Plan: Housed and Homeless sleep-out together in uptown park Include rally with variety of speakers Draw media attention

28. Actions: Solidarity Sleep-out Success: Within several months, a new mayor elected (who attended sleep-out) elected and declared ending homelessness a priority Before next winter, additional 250 beds added

29. Actions: Road to Housing City bond recommendation: $167 million for roads & $10 million for affordable housing Theme: Where is the Road to Affordable Housing

30. Actions: Road to Housing Components: Prayer Vigil 20 speakers before City Council (1/3 homeless/formerly homeless) Followed-up with Press Conference Meetings/phone calls/emails to Council “Homeless Tour” with Councilman Won an addition $5 million for Housing

31. Other Actions Partnership with Police & Jail: Reduce Homeless Arrests “The Wall”: Active presence in discussions to close outdoor meal site Community Dance

32. Future Obstacles How to include Formerly Homeless?

33. For More Information: HHH Blog: http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/blogs/hhh-blog Program Director: Liz Clasen-Kelly – 704-926-0608, lclasen@urbanministrycenter.org

35. What Obstacles Have You Overcome?