Clothing/Hygiene Drive

Heidi Jaros James Ellingson

Nikki Baune Amber Kinner

Liana McDonald and Lee Yang

A Way to

Give

THANKS

This Season

Our Topic and Purpose

The clothing/hygiene drive focused on two social problems: poverty and homelessness

Through our clothing and hygiene drive, we sought to alleviate the issue of finding clothing that those in poverty and those who are homeless encounter.

Stats taken from the Wilder Foundation

Statistics

In their 2006 survey, The Wilder Foundation found that 42% of the homeless surveyed reported that

they accessed free or almost free clothing that day. Therefore, it is safe to assume that many

homeless or those living in poverty could benefit from a Clothing/Hygiene supply drive.

Statistics

•The nation has a poverty rate of 12.6%

•Minnesota has a poverty rate of 8.1%

•Duluth has a poverty rate of 15.5% Twelve thousand Duluthians live in Poverty

St. Louis County Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness & Duluth’s Blueprint to End Poverty

Stats-Cont• The number of homeless children in St. Louis

County has tripled since 1991, and children now make up 40% of the county’s homeless persons.

• Veterans and people of color are also disproportionately represented among the homeless.

The Problem and its Causes

•Poverty and Homelessness have long been issues in Duluth. The problem is indeed widespread and it affects everyone.

•There is no one cause of homelessness, the following issues all contribute to the problem :

•non-livable wages

• lack of affordable housing

•racism

• mental/physical illness

• disability

• personal crisis  

Cont-

• When someone is living in poverty or experiencing homeless, clothing is far down on the priority list.

• Homan (2004) stated, "Recognizing issues means that you will have to identify the current situation as unacceptable, and then you will have to respond" (p. 79).  

Goals and Interventions

Goal: To collect and distribute clothing and hygiene items to as many area agencies as possible.

The donations collected went to the following agencies: Damiano Center

Safe Haven Shelter

Street Outreach

Life House

Bethany Crisis Nursery

Kids Closet

Teens Closet San Marco CHUM

Goals and Interventions

• Intervention: Area agencies would then be better able to support those in poverty and those experiencing homelessness.

A Specific Plan of Intervention

• How We Organized

• Leadership

• Contacted Agencies

• Identified Drop-Off Points

• Advertising

• Materials – Boxes & Fliers

• Collected Items

• Distributed Donations

•

Plan for Intervention:

-Cont• Implementing the Plan

– Getting the Word Out (fliers, email, word of mouth)

– Set Out Boxes

– Collected, Sorted and Distributed Clothing

Minutes 12-8-07• Minutes from 12-8-07

-Talked about Schedule for pick ups-Decorating boxes-Sorting and drop offs

Updates-ScheduleMon-amber and jamesTues- Heidi and NikkiWed-Lee and AmberThurs-Lee and Liana, ?Heidi?Fri-Liana and James

Call or talk to your partner for the day which boxes you are going to check, If you cannot make it call your partner or James to cover, if you do not know where the boxes are call James, Nikki, or Amber

Boxes that need to be picked up are, Kirby (by the bus stop), Library, SW Lounge, Multi-cultural center by front desk, Theater department, Children's Center

The children's center box needs to be checked before 5 pm.  James will keep an eye on the Dinning Center box.  There had been some miscommunication with the multicultural center and they allowed us to have a box there now. This box needs to be checked EVERYDAY. Things will be stored at James's place so hang on to the stuff till you see him.

 -Boxes where decorated on Sun by Amber, Nikki, and James

Agenda for next meeting tuesday, maybe

-sorting and drop offs, presentations,

Mass Email• Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The Social Work Student Association will be collecting donations for the homeless and those living in poverty in Duluth during the week of November

12th through November 16th. You can help by contributing clean cloths in good condition (infant to adult), toiletries and hygiene supplies, and blankets. Please bring you donation to one of the following campus locations or we can pick it up by emailing us at umdclothingdrive@yahoo.com:        .        Social Work Lounge in Bohannon 240.        Multi-Cultural Center.        Kirby Plaza (next to the bus stop).        Library.        Dining Center.        Theater Department.        Child Care Center

Thank you for your support!Social Work Student Association

Email• UmdClothingdrive@yahoo.com

• I have many huge garbage bags stuffed full of clothing (some mens -  mostly misses/ womens clothing) and some boxes of household items  leftover from my fall garage sale - It is probably almost a pickup  truckful - if someone would want to pick it up that would be super  helpful, (My husband wants to know if it will cost anything) however I   live in Superior - Otherwise it is up to my husband to drop the stuff  off and I'm not sure if that will happen during hunting season.  If  you are interested - give my cell phone a call AAAAAAA to set up  a time and get directions.

AAAAAAAA• AAAA Cohort Program

University of Minnesota Duluth

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Flyer

Doc2.mht

Strategies of Change

The main focus of our project was at the mezzo level. We

impacted a variety of agencies that in turn do

micro-level work by taking care of the direct needs of

individuals.

-Cont

• We hoped to make an impact by allowing those in poverty and those experiencing homelessness to have basic needs such as clothing and hygiene supplies taken care of so that they can focus on more important issues like food and housing.

Successes

Overall the clothing/hygiene drive was a huge SUCCESS!!!

We collected a total of 37 bags of clothing, not counting the numerous bags of miscellaneous items like: belts, purses, household items, blankets, hygiene supplies.

•We raised awareness of the issues of poverty and homelessness in Duluth to those on the UMD campus.

Cont-• The agenies were very appreciative!

• We got a Thank You card from Bethany Crisis Nursery and the Domiano was excited that we got so many mens clothes.

• We were able to familarize ourselves with the various agencies in Duluth.

• It was organized and planned effectively

• Everyone worked together and communicated well.

Miscommunication – We could have double checked with the areas we placed a donation box prior to the boxes placement. This may have reduced the confusion for all parties on where the boxes would be located.

On a positive note, this miscommunication forced us to network and as a resulted in getting the MSWSA name out in a positive manner.

Problems

Problems

• A bit too successful?

• Lack of storage was a significant issue. The agencies we donated to have a limited amount of storage space.

• Opps, we forgot to pick up all the boxes – so people were still placing items in the box that was forgotten

• We are still receiving Donations

-People continued to leave bags of clothes where the boxes used to be – even after the boxes were removed.

Conclusion

What We Learned

•Organizing takes a lot of time, planning, and preparation

•Reliable group members and clear communication are very important

Conclusion

What We Would Do Differently •More clear communication with UMD facilities management •Try to get more involvement from other MSW Students

Summary

• Homelessness and poverty are significant issues in Duluth. Collecting and donating clothing and hygiene supplies are one small way we can help to alleviate some of the day to day stresses those experiencing poverty and homelessness face.

• There is a great need for services that provide to people who are homeless and low-income.

Summary

We’ve shared with you: • Our project’s topic and purpose• The goals and interventions• The problem and its causes• Our specific plan of intervention• Our strategies of change • The systems we impacted • Our success• Our problems • What we’ve learned from this experience• What we would do differently in the future