“Help beyond homelessness.“

In Iowa, it has been over a month since we’ve been encouraged to stay home because of the Coronavirus pandemic. For some that means time off work, for others it means extra work, but for many it equals uncertainty. Where do you hunker down when you have no place to call home?

Many of our regular Press Coffee guests have continued to frequent the shop since they are on the front line of the battle with the virus. Rachel, aka Large-Coffee-with-a-Shot-and-Room-For-Heavy-Whip, is one of those guests. As the Rapid Rehousing Program Manager at Shelter House, Rachel’s job has intensified over the last few weeks as they try to get as many people into homes as possible.

Shelter House is a non-profit organization that provides 70 beds at their emergency shelter as well as other support services for those experiencing homelessness. Located at 429 Southgate Avenue, near the Waterfront Hy-Vee, Shelter House provides drop-in services for homeless individuals, former clients, or even those struggling with low income. These services usually include access to food, internet, phone, and showers as well as household, hygiene, and clothing items. Long-term services include emergency housing, rehousing into a permanent situation, employment support, mental health recovery, and veteran assistance.

However, since social-distancing went into effect, items have been delivered directly to families in lieu of drop-in access. Shelter House is also working with area hotels to help relieve overflow at the shelter as they try to keep fewer people in tight quarters. On top of that, they have increased their cleaning practices and work out creative ways to keep each other at a distance since this isn’t a job that can be done from home.

As of January 2019, over 2,300 individuals experienced homelessness on any given day in Iowa. During the 2017-2018 school year, more than 7,000 public school students were homeless at some point throughout the year. Having to go without a secure place to stay or some of the most basic resources, homeless individuals are part of the vulnerable population at risk for contracting COVID-19 and need these things more than ever right now.

Rachel started picking up coffee from Press on her commute from North Liberty four years ago. Originally from Wisconsin, she became an Iowa transplant after attending college here and earning a bachelor’s in English with a creative writing certificate. Eventually entering the non-profit world, she started out as a case manager at Shelter House and now manages their Rapid Rehousing program. Its focus is on making temporary, transitional, or permanent housing a reality for their clients. Rachel and her staff have been working overtime trying to get people housed since capacity at their emergency shelter has been halved and resources are being used up quickly to ensure a safe and clean environment for staff and clients. Since March 13th, Rachel and her staff have moved 48 adults and children out of homelessness and into housing.

Read more about what has changed at Shelter House during the pandemic.

Funding for Shelter House’s services come from HUD and other federal grants they apply for, as well as private donations and fundraisers throughout the year. The annual book sale, their largest event that typically pulls in $25,000, was originally scheduled for the last weekend in March but had to be postponed in its 23rd year due to the Coronavirus. Not only is Shelter House’s services necessary more than ever, but their need for resources is greater than ever.

There are many ways for the public to help invest in the health and survival of their own community, starting with simple monetary donations. Donate through the Shelter House website, via phone, or by mail. Each week on Tuesday, they also post their greatest needs on their Facebook page if you have extra supplies to donate. Right now they ask that you please not show up with donations but instead coordinate a time for a pickup, or even ship items to Shelter House directly from their Amazon wish list. Also, if you spend $100 at a downtown Iowa City business, you can submit your receipt to donate a $25 gift card to Shelter House.

Another way to support those in need of a home right now is to connect with Shelter House about getting your empty apartment units filled. The rehousing program provides financial assistance to get homeless clients into a place to live, and caseworkers continue to work with them to ensure stability in their situation. If you’re a landlord in Johnson County that has rentals to fill, Shelter House would love to talk to you*. Rachel says she’s been working long days since Coronavirus started affecting our area, but she’s also trying her best to stay healthy herself. “We can’t take care of anyone else if we don’t take care of ourselves.”

Rachel claims that Press Coffee literally keeps her going every day, but we see it the other way around. We wouldn’t still be serving up delicious French Pressed coffee or lattes if people like Rachel weren’t bravely stepping forward to work tirelessly during this global disaster. In a follow-up e-mail between us, Rachel stressed how much she loves her job. “I love serving my community, and while it can be very difficult during such an uncertain time for everyone, all of us at Shelter House are working as hard as we possibly can to support those members of our community who are going through an extremely difficult time.”

We will feel the effects of the pandemic long after the emergency order is lifted and things start to get back to normal. Those who are facing unemployment or are unable to pay rent right now may find themselves needing Shelter House services down the line. If you find that your own needs are taken care of, turn instead to your community and lend a hand to those who are struggling. The only way through this is together.

*If you’re a landlord interested in the rehousing program, contact Rachel.Lehmann@shelterhouseiowa.org or 319-338-5416 ext. 211 to find out how to access funds and support social distancing by moving people out of the shelter and into permanent housing.