Winter is coming...and the Winchendon CAC is ready
The Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC) is ready for the start of cold weather, with its new day shelter and homeless resource center, Haven of Hope, joining its many programs and services for the community. Executive Director Jennifer Sibley says the biggest challenge is getting the word out about everything the CAC offers to those who most need it.
Haven of Hope has served about ten clients since it officially opened last month. A warm and friendly space next to the CAC's clothing and food pantry section, Haven of Hope includes laundry facilities and a handicap-accessible shower. A spacious dining area holds a long table where families can sit together for a meal, and refrigerators containing cold drinks and pre-made, re-heatable food. Next to the dining area is a room where clients can relax on comfortable chairs and sofas and enjoy television or games.
A storeroom is filled with donated toiletries, underwear, socks and other necessities. Small bags of toiletries are pre-filled to give to clients, and large knapsacks contain a change of clothes, blankets, food, and other things needed by the homeless.
Ms. Sibley explains that the CAC can't prepare food without a commercial kitchen on the premises. Ready-made meals from Hannaford are available for clients, as well as food that doesn't require cooking.
Homelessness can be self-perpetuating; without a phone number and address, homeless persons face even more barriers in applying for jobs or services. They may have trouble finding a place to shower and wash their clothes so they can job-hunt or work.
Haven of Hope provides homeless persons with facilities for self-care and an address to use for applications. Pre-paid government cell phones are available if a homeless person needs a phone number and has no phone of their own.
Ms. Sibley says that anyone in need of services only needs to come into the CAC and apply. Staff will do a full intake interview and evaluate their needs. Clients will have assistance in applying for services including overnight sheltering, permanent housing, disability benefits, SNAP, WIC, mental health services, detox and rehab programs. There are many different services available for people with all levels of need. As of November 18, the LIHEAP Heating Assistance program, based in Fitchburg, will send staff to the CAC to take applications from Winchendon residents for fuel assistance.
"There's no shame in anything we offer here," Ms. Sibley says. "We're respectful of confidentiality."
Ms. Sibley says that the only thing they ask of clients is a willingness to commit to "taking the next step" and following through on the help that is offered.
Ms. Sibley notes that most of the CAC clients don't want to leave Winchendon and go to another community for shelter or housing. Our Father's House in Fitchburg has been expanding and improving its program with numerous satellite shelters around the area; Ms. Sibley says that she's urging Our Father's House to establish an overnight shelter in Toy Town.
Homelessness in Winchendon tends to be out of sight to everyone except those who do direct intervention work, like the CAC, or the police and fire departments and the Senior Center. Some of our homeless folks camp in the woods or stay in trailers and outbuildings. Some live in their cars or trucks. As winter approaches, they'll be coming for help. Many more "couch surf" from one friend, co-worker or family member's house to another.
Asked what her "number one wish" would be, Ms. Sibley said, "more funding, to staff the shelter" for expanded hours, and for "outreach--mobile outreach out on the streets" to get people to come in, get help, and make better choices for their lives going forward.
There are some frustrations--Ms. Sibley explains that transportation services were discontinued due to the requirement for livery insurance, which costs thousands of dollars. The Worcester County Food Bank is too overwhelmed to deliver fresh produce for the next few weeks. Only Ms. Sibley has received the required training to pick up loads of food in person, and she can't leave the CAC office for that long.
Recently, Ms. Sibley issued a public plea to generous contributors to respect the CAC's donations policies and only bring donations during the posted hours. Only at these times are volunteers available to accept donations, sort them, clean them and store them properly. Donated clothing is washed, sanitized and dried at high heat settings. Ms. Sibley said that a few times, bags of dirty clothes and rubbish have been brought in and left on the floor, or left on the front steps when the CAC was closed. This only means that the CAC ends up paying to take bags of unusable stuff to the transfer station. One bag of clothes was contaminated by rodents.
Donations for CAC clients should be brought to the CAC and handed to a volunteer on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Items accepted are: winter clothes for adults and kids, holiday food, holiday toys, non-perishable food items, boots and gloves. Used or new, donations should be squeaky-clean, complete, in good repair and in good working order. Food items should be within their expiration date.
Winchendon CAC services are available to eligible Winchendon residents; to apply, come to the CAC office with proof of income and proof of residency. Services on site include a food pantry, clothing pantry, toiletries and household items, a coupon and store flyer exchange, holiday food baskets, a Christmas children's party and a Christmas toy distribution. Follow the CAC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/winchendoncac/ or check their website for updates. If you have any questions, call the CAC at 978-297-1667.
The CAC is located at 273 Central Street, Winchendon, and its hours are:
Monday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Haven of Hope day shelter is open whenever the CAC office is. Its hours may be extended during severe weather conditions.
