Chamber Connect featuring Switchpoint

The winter solstice occurred on December 22, and for most people it was a welcomed reminder of holiday celebrations to come. However, for the homeless, the darkness during the longest night of the year was an unwelcomed 14 hours, 53 minutes and 43 second long reminder of the upcoming long and cold winter.
 
1,277 homeless individuals reside in the Washington County area who are forced to endure another winter. With close, individually tailored direction and support, housing stability can be achieved for men, women, children, and families experiencing homelessness.
 
It takes all of us. With community support, people can become empowered and self-sufficient. Come hear Carol Hollowell, the director of the Switchpoint, explain how they are helping individuals become self-sufficient. 

The Switchpoint Community Resource Center was established to provide the support and services needed to get homeless individuals into permanent stable housing, all in one central location.  The Switchpoint Community Resource Center is equipped to accommodate up to 64 individuals who are in need of temporary housing.
While giving the homeless a hot meal, a clean bed, and a roof over their heads will help in the short term, more is needed. The journey back to stable and decent housing begins as soon as new residents arrive. Each person meets with a case manager and receives a comprehensive needs assessment. Individualized plans of action are formed to get them marketable, employed, housed, and equipped with the skills necessary to regain stability in their life, and help them obtain permanent housing.