MSSA (Minnesota Social Service Association)’s Post

Supporting our aging veterans is vital as they navigate unique challenges stemming from their service. Understanding their needs, such as accessing VA benefits and healthcare, adapting homes for aging in place, addressing mental health concerns, advocating for their rights, fostering community engagement, and providing education about available resources, is essential. Understand how you can help support our veterans! 📖 https://lnkd.in/e33MTk66

Peer support is crucial for people at every stage of their recovery journey. You can find peer-based support groups – online and in person – for people of specific ages and shared experiences. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFS6Y_Aq #LivedExperience #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryIsPossible

Peer support is crucial for people at every stage of their recovery journey. You can find peer-based support groups – online and in person – for people of specific ages and shared experiences. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFS6Y_Aq #LivedExperience #RecoveryMonth #RecoveryIsPossible

📣 Community Call for Action: Addressing #Homelessness and the #MindBody #Connection Dear Community, It's time to rethink our understanding of homelessness and its underlying causes. Contrary to common misconceptions, homelessness is not solely a result of addiction or personal failures. Rather, it is deeply rooted in the disconnection between our minds, brains, and bodies during our crucial early years of development. In babyhood and childhood, our caregivers play a vital role in somatically attuning to us, connecting our minds, brains, and bodies. However, due to a lack of awareness and resources, many caregivers were never equipped with the knowledge or support to foster this essential connection. Consequently, countless individuals have grown up with a fragmented sense of self, leading to profound challenges in various aspects of life, including housing stability. When our minds are disconnected from our bodies and brains, it hinders our ability to regulate emotions, navigate stress, and make healthy choices. This disconnection often manifests as chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and a compromised capacity to maintain stable housing. To address the homelessness crisis in our community, we must prioritize healing and reconnection. We need to invest in comprehensive, trauma-informed interventions that bridge the gap between our minds, brains, and bodies. By focusing on early childhood development, supporting caregivers, and providing accessible mental health resources, we can lay the foundation for resilient individuals and a thriving community. Here's how we can take action together: 1️⃣ Education and Awareness: Spread knowledge about the mind-body connection and its impact on homelessness. Advocate for incorporating this vital understanding into educational curricula, healthcare systems, and community programs. 2️⃣ Trauma-Informed Care: Advocate for trauma-informed approaches across various sectors, including healthcare, social services, and housing programs. Encourage professionals to recognize and address the underlying traumas that contribute to homelessness. 3️⃣ Supportive Services: Increase access to culturally, inclusive, responsive, trauma-informed care, nutritionally-based mental health services, addiction treatment, and supportive housing programs that prioritize holistic healing and the reconnection of the mind, brain, and body. 4️⃣ Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration among community organizations, healthcare providers, social workers, and policymakers to create comprehensive solutions that address the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. 5️⃣ Advocacy for Affordable Housing: Advocate for affordable housing initiatives and policies that prioritize stable, safe, and supportive environments conducive to healing and reconnection. Together, we can create a community where every individual has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and maintain stable housing. #homelessness

🌟 Change Me Foundation Services Spotlight 🌟 At Change Me Foundation, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community by providing a diverse range of services that cater to the unique needs of our members. Here's a quick look at what we offer: 🌆 Community Outreach: We lend a helping hand to individuals seeking essentials like food, shelter, financial support, or social services. Our goal is clear: to ensure no one in our community is left behind. 🏡💼 💚 Health & Wellness: We're committed to bridging the gap in healthcare access. Through monthly healthy eating classes and educational resources, we promote well-being regardless of personal choices or financial constraints. 🍏💪 📣 Advocacy: Change Me Foundation aims to be the voice for those without one. We provide education on effective self-advocacy, equipping individuals with the skills to make sure their voices are heard. 🗣️ 🤗 Support Groups: We create safe spaces and provide mental health assistance to underserved communities. Our support groups are crucial for aiding individuals in their recovery from mental health or substance use issues. 🧠❤️ 📚 Education & Training: We deliver mental health awareness education to our community with a broader vision of educating on topics like advocacy, substance abuse, health and wellness, healthy eating habits, and home ownership. 🏡🎓 🌍 Community Resources: Our community resource initiative aims to help those in need find access to resources related to health disparities, hunger, substance abuse, mental health, jobs, affordable housing, and more. We're here to assist in finding the needed services or benefits. 🌟 Stay tuned for more in-depth information on each of these services as we shine a spotlight on how they're making a difference in our community. 🤗🌎 #ChangeMeFoundation #CommunityOutreach #HealthAndWellness #Advocacy #SupportGroups #EducationAndTraining #CommunityResources #PositiveImpact

Today, we join people around the world to recognize World Homeless Day. We use our voice to help people access affordable homes and healthcare supports that are desperately needed. With the Oct 5 release of the Greater Vancouver homeless count by the Homelessness Services Association of B.C., we learned that 4,821 people are experiencing homelessness, a 32% increase since 2020. The report indicates that 30% of respondents reported having an acquired brain injury, 53% of respondents indicated a mental health condition, and 71% reported having an addiction. British Columbians need a housing system that promotes well-being and includes physical and mental wellness services. For those struggling with an acquired brain injury, mental illness or a substance use disorder, this requires ongoing government investment to establish in-house clinical services such as psychiatrists, nurses and social workers. Burnham Place is a 68-unit supported housing facility operated by Coast Mental Health. This model provides permanent housing with 24-hour-a-day/7-days-a-week support, which includes two social workers. Social work hasn’t always been part of the supported housing model, but over the last few years, this is slowly changing. We ask people to consider the benefits social work brings to people who lack the capacity to connect with their community. A social worker guides and facilitates better outcomes for individuals in their care. Empowering people to manage their wellness, to move forward with their recovery, and to live more independently. As we reflect on the challenges many people face through homelessness, let’s consider what can be done to help people find and maintain a home that meets their needs. Including affordable housing with in-house clinical supports for people with complex healthcare needs. Please get involved by visiting us at #yesinmybackyard. https://ow.ly/IlgG50PVeyk

💡 Today, I want to highlight some effective strategies that can help us move toward breaking the cycle of Homelessness. 1️⃣ Education & Employment Opportunities: By empowering homeless individuals with access to education and employment programs, we can equip them with the skills and resources needed to secure stable jobs and regain control of their lives. 🎓💼 2️⃣ Affordable and Accessible Housing Initiatives: It's crucial to work closely with local communities, government agencies, and private organisations to develop affordable housing solutions. 🏘️❤️ 3️⃣ Holistic Support Networks: Building strong support networks that provide mental health services, addiction recovery programs, and social services will help individuals overcome the challenges they face and reintegrate into society. 🤝💚 🙏 Remember, every small action counts. Let's be the catalysts for change! 🌟 #BreakTheCycleOfHomelessness #TogetherWeCanMakeADifference

Nurturing Hope During Adversity: Hope As A Framework For Action Hope is a protective factor helping us cope with daily life stress and is a psychological strength that can be taught.  Likewise, hope can also be robbed. Our research shows that exposure to adversity impacts the nature of our goals, feelings of urgency and despair constrain our pathways thinking, and willpower is degraded through fear and uncertainty.   The good news is that hope can be taught and more importantly nurtured through intentional program services.  Our publication in the Journal of Community Psychology shows simple strategies human and social service providers use to nurture hope and goal achievement among adults experiencing the adversity of homelessness. I am forever proud of our partnerships with human service agencies and community partners to advance the Science of Hope.  Angela Pharris, Ph.D., and I use this research-based evidence as a framework to advance the hope centered organization. Agency hope navigators develop strategic plans to implement hope centered programs to improve client outcomes and promote employee wellbeing. #hopescience #wellbeing #humanservice

Advocating for Community Well-being In a previous post, I discussed mental health in our schools and emphasized the importance of increased community collaboration. Today, I am thrilled to announce the next step for Murray City School District and Community! Allow me to introduce you to the inspiring work of Murray Partners 4 Prevention—a coalition fueled by passionate residents and diverse organizations across various sectors. Its primary aims are to support prevention efforts across the district and community; including substance use prevention, mental health support and suicide prevention, and increase protective factors in our youth.  The following is the starting point for their mission and vision. Collaboration for Impact: Our coalition is dedicated to elevating the health, wellness, and safety of our entire community. By uniting forces and forging partnerships, we amplify our impact, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond what any individual or agency could achieve alone. Together with the community support, we’re driving towards successful outcomes and making strides in assessing community needs and strengths. Our approach is evidence-based, ensuring that our programs are not only impactful but also sustainable, making the most efficient use of resources. Our Vision: Looking ahead, our long-term vision is simple yet profound: we aspire to ensure that every partner in Murray City has a seat at the table. Collective input shapes the prioritization of issues and solutions. Murray Partners 4 Prevention is about more than just being aware; it’s about being actively engaged. Let’s build a healthier, more connected Murray community together! A heartfelt thank you to Sherry Van Bibber and Sierra Marsh, along with other dedicated leaders and volunteers, for shaping a brighter future in our community! Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the following organizations for being a part of this journey! Murray City, Murray Baptist Church, UTNG Counterdrug Program, Gift Connect, Youthlinc, K Real Estate, SLCo Youth Services, Salt Lake County Health Department, Murray City School District and Board, Red Cross and Murray Fire Department. If you are in the Salt Lake County area and what to be a part of this endeavor. Please DM me I can help get you in contact with this group.  #CommunityWellness #Collaboration #MurrayCityStrong #WeareMurray

DID YOU KNOW? 🌟 Netcare Access has a remarkable program called Reach Out Worker (ROW) One. - Why is it important in the city of Columbus? • The ROW One program is a lifeline for those facing mental health challenges, homelessness, and addiction. It's a compassionate initiative that sends dedicated outreach workers into the heart of the city, reaching out to vulnerable individuals on the streets and in underserved communities. • ROW One staff provide vital support and resources to those who often feel forgotten or invisible, offering a listening ear, empathy, and understanding. They establish trust-based relationships, fostering hope and help people take crucial steps towards recovery. • By connecting individuals with essential services, ROW is making a significant impact on reducing homelessness and the strain on emergency services. It empowers individuals to seek help, leading to a healthier and safer community for everyone. 🌟 Let's celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our Reach Out Worker program and support our mission to create a community where everyone can access the care and compassion they need. #DidYouKnow #MentalHealthMatters #SupportNotStigma