Warming Centers - City of Fort Smith
Volunteers Needed for the Annual Point in Time Count
Honor and Duty 5K June 4, 2022
Southern Nights Fundraiser
Sharon Chapman, New Executive Director
One of our challenges is lifting spirits and instilling accountability into clients who are truly at the worst point in their lives. Often our clients are so down they do not even want to participate in our array of life skills classes. Many cannot even contemplate the complexities of using a checkbook.
So our new incentive program was introduced. Clients receive 3 points for every hour of volunteerism - either at the Day Room or any arranged schedule at another nonprofit organization. Attendance in one of our life skills classes will add 10 points. Our Budgeting, Anger Management and Employment Preparation and Placement classes have experienced ten times as many participants since introducing this program! Clients are quick to volunteer to vacuum or wash dishes. Attending GED classes at the Adult Education Center help a client receive the most points.
Everyone has a personal checkbook to record points, and all the local banks have donated the checkbooks. Deposits are recorded by staff. Our clients are learning about deposits, withdrawals and balances. A hot meal will mean a withdrawal of 2 points. If someone needs a sleeping bag, 10 points are withdrawn. A tent will cost 30 points. Toiletries or reading glasses are 1 point.
One woman said she always felt like a beggar when she had to ask for deodorant or tooth paste. She said she is proud to now "earn" the toiletries and supplies she needs. There is a new sense of self-worth in our clients. Many compare checkbooks with pride as they accumulate points and subsequently become more quickly prepared for independence as they learn necessary life skills.
