Since January, the Poverello Center has conducted 80 percent of Missoula Coordinated Entry System assessments for individuals accessing emergency services. The Pov has conducted 239 assessments in 2022, as of July 20th.
The Missoula Coordinated Entry System (MCES) uses standardized assessment tools and prioritization policies to direct people to resources. It prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community, and reduces the burdens of navigating social services in times of crises. It also gathers data that is crucial for determining how best to allocate resources and identifying any gaps that may exist in the services that are offered.
“If people aren’t entered into coordinated entry they may not be on anybody’s radar and by doing this, they’re on many people’s radar,” Arynn P., the Pov’s Intake & Assessment Specialist, said.
39 Organizations and nonprofits in the community are able to share information and resources to best serve folks experiencing houselessness through MCES. The Poverello Center is one of two access points for MCES assessments. 549-HOPE through the Hope Rescue Mission is the second Coordinated Entry Access Point.
These assessments help connect folks with anything from case management referrals to permanent supportive housing vouchers through Missoula Housing Authority. It also begins conversations about goals and housing. Getting bus tickets, connecting folks with gas or hotel vouchers, and helping people get connected to public assistance are just a few of the powerful outcomes of assessments.
“Assessments open the door to conversations that can get to the root of the barriers that a client has and resources that they’re looking for … an assessment is good but the conversation surrounding it has the potential to be even better,” Liam S., the Pov’s Coordinated Entry Specialist, said.
The City of Missoula implemented MCES in 2017 with members of the Missoula At Risk Housing Coalition (ARHC). MCES data allows for service providers to better understand and respond to the demographics and barriers of individuals experiencing houselessness.
Volunteer Spotlight: Mission Minded Volunteer Youth Group
Nearly 40 youths and chaperones deep cleaned the entire Poverello Center building and grounds in June. Mission trip participants from the First United Methodist Church of Loveland, Colorado traveled for service projects around the region.
The group began the day by cleaning up the surrounding Poverello Center neighborhood and later moved inside to deep clean the entire 1110 W Broadway building.
From the kitchen to dorms, the facilities quickly became spotless thanks to the group’s hard work.
“Volunteer groups are crucial to adding capacity beyond what staff and individuals can accomplish in any one day. We are so lucky to have such awesome groups of volunteers coming in throughout the year,” Volunteer & Food Programs Manager Zac M. said.
Volunteers make our mission of providing food, shelter, help and hope to all who ask possible.
Due to limited space, group sizes are limited to 10 people or less at one time. This ensures that members of your group are consistently busy while volunteering. We can accommodate larger groups with advance notice and special planning. To schedule a large group please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (406) 532-6674 at least two weeks in advance or fill out our application here.
Interested in getting a group together to volunteer at the Pov or just want to learn more about volunteer opportunities in general? Please visit our Volunteer webpage for additional details.
Supporter Spotlight: Picnic 2022
Thank you for supporting the Poverello Center’s Veteran Programs at our second annual Picnic for the Pov. Because of the generosity of everyone else who attended, we were able to raise $75,804!
The work of the Veteran Programs is made possible through the aid of supply and fiscal donations. The generous donations at this year’s Picnic for the Pov allow Veteran Programs to continue serving Veterans experiencing houselessness and work toward making Veteran houselessness as brief as possible.
Donations not only keep Poverello Center programs running, they also support people in meeting their goals.
“The Poverello Center’s Veterans programs provide wrap-around services that help ensure that [Veterans] not only find housing but retain their housing by building the skills they need to be successful as a tenant and in life,” Sue E., Veterans Housing Retention Specialist, said at the event.
From videos by With A Cause Productions and Senator John Tester’s office to speeches from case managers and our wonderful partners at Volunteers of America, this year’s Picnic for the Pov was impactful and informative.
Unable to attend Picnic for the Pov? I invite you to watch the linked videos and learn more about how to get involved with this work on our website!
Pov Staff Welcomes Jesuit Volunteer, Caitlin
Hi all!
My name is Caitlin Troyer (she/her/hers) and I am so excited to be joining the Pov as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps NorthWest Americorps program.
I call Coeur d’Alene, Idaho home and am an alumna of Carroll College. Go Saints! I spent this past year as a Jesuit Volunteer in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where I was the Outreach Coordinator at an agency that provided food, furniture, and other assistance resources to those in need of those services.
I am very happy to be back in Big Sky country for my second year of service and am excited to make Missoula my home. I love long walks, reading, painting, and anything that gets me out in nature. I also love learning niche facts about people so if you ever get the chance, stop by and tell me a fun fact about yourself and I’ll tell you one in return.
I love getting to know people and creating connections with them and therefore cannot wait to see what new relationships this role in Volunteer Services brings. One week under my belt and I am already so thrilled to be working on the various programs and opportunities we have to offer for our volunteers. We are already gearing up for our Pumpkins for the Pov event and I can’t wait to meet some of you at harvest time! I could not be more excited to join this incredible community of staff and supporters!
See you around,
Caitlin
Planned Giving: A Legacy of Hope
Sarah and Josh never really thought about their wills until they heard about legacy giving with the Poverello Center.
“When we heard about legacy giving, we were excited to be able to designate a part of our estate to the Poverello Center, and in turn, help make this important work continue to happen long after our lifetimes,” Sarah said. “Designating all or a portion of your estate to the Poverello Center is a powerful way to provide a legacy of support for our most vulnerable neighbors. It feels good to find yet another way of supporting our most vulnerable neighbors.”
If you don’t yet have a will, working with a lawyer to develop one can be an important step in leaving a legacy while caring for your family. You can also name effective nonprofits like the Poverello Center the beneficiary (or payable-on-death) on your bank accounts, CDs, life insurance or retirement plan assets to leave a legacy gift.
Working with a lawyer on your estate plan may expand the options you explore. For some ideas on where you might begin, please contact us at (406) 532-6686 or donations@thepoverellocenter.org. Thank you for your consideration of support for the Poverello Center.
A Letter From Jill
Dear Supporters,
We are so grateful for all of your support – from donations at the Picnic for the Pov to our dedicated volunteers coming into the kitchen week after week, we make this work happen together. Thank you for a great summer.
As we look toward autumn, I am excited for the opportunities of the new season. Our development team is working to make the seventh year of Pumpkins for the Pov the biggest year yet, and leadership are strategizing how to improve the Emergency Winter Shelter in its third year as we know it.
These are the folks most likely to die on the street, and the Emergency Winter Shelter provides them with safety from the elements and resources for their journey into housing.
The accessibility created by Emergency Winter Shelter allows Poverello staff to help people who may not otherwise access day-time services. Thank you for joining us in providing food, shelter, help, and hope to all who ask.
Sincerely,
Jill Bonny, MSW
Executive Director