Feature
Community Supported Shelters: Teaching Skills for Life
article by Kelly Rush | Director of Communications, Eugene Chamber of Commerce
If you’ve been unsheltered for years, have experienced trauma, or are struggling with mental and emotional health issues, simply getting along with others can be a significant challenge.
People who come to live in the Conestoga hut communities run by Community Supported Shelters (CSS) are learning how to “leave the street on the street,” said CSS Director of Philanthropy Heather Quaas-Annsa, in her comments to the task force.
She emphasized that change is possible when people come together to solve significant community challenges.
The organization operates pre-housing shelter services for those experiencing homelessness, and takes a holistic approach in serving its residents by teaching important life skills, such as learning how to exist with others harmoniously. These “people skills” help residents experience higher success rates in transitioning to more stable homes.
She said the sites offer peer support networks who assist residents in getting sober, finding sustainable work, and mending ties with their families. She also said CSS employees can relate to residents’ stories of struggle because they’ve experienced some of the same problems, including addiction and mental health conditions.
For more information on how you can support the work, please visit their website.
