NOTE: This post is an adaptation of a recent memo from our Executive Director, Mark Dyken, to local residents who have expressed concerns about our operation. We have been and will continue to be transparent on all relevant matters, and so we want to share this information with everyone here. We welcome your questions and feedback.

Vetting

Everyone is vetted.  We don’t house any registered sex offenders or people with active warrants. RV is a sober living environment.  We do random drug testing and refer anyone who is struggling with drugs or alcohol to treatment.  We are connected to the Red Feather Clinic – part of the Mathiesen Health Clinic group specializing in substance use issues.  We are also working on an agreement with Chris Kahn, who is building The Refuge a 20 bed in-patient facility.

Transition to work

Every Villager will have a case plan for transition to self-sufficiency.  One of my past jobs was as a job developer – I taught people how to look for work – filling out applications, creating a resume, preparing for a successful interview and how to be a good employee once hired.  I was responsible for building bridges with employers and supporting the new hires in the job.  I also taught a course on basic financial literacy which included a section on how to be a good tenant. These types of practical, real world skills will be part of the program.

We are believers in the dignity and importance of work.  All villagers are required to work a minimum of 10 hours on the property as part of the rent subsidy.  Villagers with income will pay income adjusted rent, those without income will work more hours on the property.

This is not and never will be a “homeless encampment”.  Our goal is to be part of a spectrum of services that eliminate unhealthy living situations like Camp Hope.  This program is built on years of frontline experience in working with this population and the use of field-tested best practices and models.  There will be no tent camping or outdoor living of any kind on the property. This is housing for people with little to no income, with on-site support programs to transition stable housing.

Sustainability

We continuously plan for long-term sustainability.  We are a member of the local Continuum of Care – the organization that administers state and federal grant funds for programs that serve unsheltered people.  We are eligible for a variety of funding through the COC.  We also have plans for developing various small business enterprises for our residents to earn money, learn job skills and contribute to program sustainability. I’ve spent nearly 30 years directing and managing non-profit organizations and programs.  All the start-ups I’ve help to launch are still running but I will be the first to close this operation if it doesn’t live up to the standards our leadership team has established.

Supervision

We have two full-time, live-in site managers as well as our team of administrators and case managers.  There will be 24-hour active on site supervision along with cameras and other security devices to both protect the property and residents and monitor activity on the property.

We welcome specific questions and hope folks will consider coming for a site visit to see what’s actually happening on the property and what the plans are.

~Mark Dyken, Executive Director