Speak Up for Community Vision

With the recent news of pending budget cuts, Community Vision is seeking support from businesses, residents, past and current clients and the community at large to speak up about the need for Community Vision services.

Every day we are seeing the reality of the current economic crisis in the faces of the clients we serve. Many have recently lost jobs, housing, and any sense of security or hope they had. They come through the doors of Community Vision with little direction and often have no understanding of how to navigate the homeless system. Community Vision provides their most basic needs of food, showers, and laundry each day; but the work we do here is so much more intensive than just those basic services.

Through our day programming clients have the opportunity to engage in computer classes, therapeutic groups such as art and expressive writing, and vocational training programs. We work one on one with clients to make referrals to housing programs, mental health agencies, and substance abuse programs. More importantly, we build the trust of individuals who might not otherwise engage in help of any kind, and we meet clients where they are to help them make the next positive step in their lives.

Sometimes that first step is as simple as going to get an identification card. Other times it’s simply listening to someone tell their story when no one else has taken the time to hear them. For some, it is the empowerment that comes from learning new skills such as typing, creating a resume, or setting up an e-mail account.

Then there are the major successes, like the 83 year old client that we recently moved into a permanent independent apartment (where he lives on the third floor and takes the stairs every day for exercise!) There are countless others who, despite the grim economy, have found employment after working with our vocational program–nothing compares to the pride they feel when they come to the office and share their amazing news with the staff!

Each day there are positive, inspirational and transformational things happening for people who come through the doors of Community Vision. It would be a tragedy for the Silver Spring community and the Montgomery County homeless provider network if this crucial program no longer existed as both an entry point for homeless services and as the day-time support system for people living in the wider shelter system. However, the greater tragedy would be the absence of these critical services for some of our most vulnerable citizens here in Montgomery County.

For more information on how YOU can show your support for Community Vision, visit Interfaith Work’s website!

Julia Stewart, Community Vision Case Manager