GOOD SHEPHERD MINISTRIES OF WILMINGTON INC

This program’s volunteers collect food from area grocery stores, restaurants and bakeries for distribution to the hungry through the Soup Kitchen and more than 20 local feeding programs with which we share these donations. Over the course of one year, over 500 tons of food—that would otherwise be thrown away—is salvaged and directed to those in need.

The Day Shelter is a safe haven for the most fragile and chronically homeless, disproportionately serving those with mental illness and/or physical disabilities. It provides many of the basic life necessities that we take for granted when we have a home of our own: access to bathrooms, showers, toiletries and clean clothing; phone and mail service; assistance obtaining photo identification; case management; on-site medical treatment; connection and transportation to day labor opportunities; and referral to needed community resources such as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and transitional or permanent supportive housing.

 

Because it is a low-demand drop-in center, the Day Shelter succeeds in drawing into services even the most severely mentally ill who are not willing, because of their fragile psychological state, to consider coming into shelter overnight. Building trust with these individuals over time through small but positive interactions results in their eventual willingness to access additional needed services, toward helping them regain stability.

Conveniently attached to the Day Shelter, an on-site Medical Clinic provides guests with access to primary care, wound care, screening for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, and needed prescriptions. In addition to individual counseling, the nursing staff also make regular group presentations in the Day Shelter to increase guests’ understanding of infectious diseases and other prevention issues.  

Using a first-come, first-served walk-in approach, the clinic is successful in serving even the most challenging, mentally ill guests who are unable to access a more structured, appointment-based service delivery system. Its location within the Day Shelter enhances the nursing staff’s ability to follow up with fragile clients who have chronic conditions, improving medication and treatment continuity.

Opened in October 2005, the Night Shelter provides 118 emergency beds for homeless men, women, and families with children every night, year round. While the reasons for their becoming homeless vary, many are working individuals unable to afford housing in this area. Our goal: to provide the intensive support needed to shorten the length of their crisis and expedite their return to housing.

 
After check-in, overnight guests are provided a dinner meal, on-site educational opportunities, and case management, including setting and working toward a plan for becoming housed again. Volunteers— including families, congregations, and individuals—assist with check-in and shelter monitoring, as well as preparation and service of the dinner meal.

The Ashley Center provides 16 units of Bridge Housing to homeless Veterans and 8 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for Veterans and chronically homeless men with a disability.

Bridge Housing is a low barrier, short-term solution for homeless Veterans who have been offered and accepted a permanent housing intervention but are still working on access to that housing.

Length of stay is determined individually, based on need, but is generally not expected to exceed 90 days.

To be accepted into either program, prospective residents must complete an application and in-person interview with designated staff. Veterans must submit proof of income and verification of homelessness as part of the eligibility determination process.

While at the Ashley Center, Veterans are provided assistance with food, clothing, toiletries, and laundry supplies.

They also receive transportation services to and from medical appointments, work, etc., case management by trained staff to obtain necessary resources and skills needed for transition to permanent housing, and a large network of community and peer support available to them.

In the Veterans’ spare time, they have access to an on-site gym, computers, a large garden, an outdoor meditation area and multiple television rooms.

Lakeside Partners of Wilmington, Inc. is a 501(c)3 subsidiary of Good Shepherd Center, the largest provider of homeless services in the Cape Fear region. SECU Lakeside Reserve is a $5 million affordable housing project conceived more than a decade ago. Situated on 4 acres of land behind Legion Stadium at Greenfield Lake, Lakeside features 40 units of permanent, affordable housing with supportive services to chronically homeless single adults with disabilities (physical, mental health, or a combination) plus communal amenities of a gathering space and large kitchen, TV room, laundry facilities, and a certified butterfly garden and greenspace. No more than 30% of residents’ income is charged for rent, allowing them to afford other necessities such as food, medication, transportation, and insurance. It also allows this fragile population to remain housed with dignity and respect.

This property, formerly the site of the Adrian B. Rhodes Armed Forces Reserve Center, was closed by the federal government in 2006 and mandated to be used for homeless services. In 2008 Lakeside Partners was awarded the project and the property was deeded from the City to Lakeside.