PROJECT AMISTAD INC

GUARDIANSHIP, MONEY MANAGEMENT, AND UNHOUSED INITIATIVES: PROJECT AMISTAD REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED BY THE COURT SYSTEM TO BE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE GUARDIANSHIP TEAM WORKS DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THAT THE PERSONS UNDER GUARDIANSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 445, HAVE APPROPRIATE SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, MEDICAL CARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY SERVES INDIVIDUALS RANGING FROM YOUNG ADULTS TO PERSONS 101 YEARS OLD. PROJECT AMISTAD WAS SELECTED TO PROVIDE HOMELESS INITIATIVES, WHICH ARE 365/24/7. AMISTAD HAS A CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH SEVERAL FEDERAL, STATE, CITY, AND COUNTY ENTITIES ALONG WITH COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PROFESSIONAL CARE. MONEY MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PERSONS WHO ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCES AND WHO NEED A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE. MONEY MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF AMISTAD'S EFFORTS TO EASE BURDENS FOR PERSONS SERVED. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM THROUGH THE CITY OF EL PASO. PROJECT AMISTAD CLIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING ASSISTANCE IN MANAGING THEIR FINANCES ARE PROVIDED WITH COMPREHENSIVE AND PROFESSIONAL MONEY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE BY A CASE MANAGER. AMONG THE REFERRING SOURCES WERE THE PROBATE COURT, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS), AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA). THERE ARE CURRENTLY 73 CLIENTS IN THE PROGRAM. ALSO, AMISTAD IS A HUB FOR UNHOUSED INITIATIVES. THE EL CAMINO A CASA PROGRAM, FUNDED BY THE CITY OF EL PASO, AIMS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING RAPID REHOUSING, HOMELESS PREVENTION, AND STREET OUTREACH. IN FY25, 278 CLIENTS AND 222 HOUSEHOLDS WERE ENGAGED THROUGH STREET OUTREACH. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, MEALS, SNACKS, AND HYGIENE ITEMS. CLIENTS ARE ASSISTED IN LOCATING AN EMERGENCY SHELTER TO AVOID SPENDING THE NIGHT IN A PLACE NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. AMISTAD ALSO PROVIDED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THROUGH FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD), FUNNELED THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE, SERVING 17 INDIVIDUALS. IN THIS PROGRAM, CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH LONG-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP THEM REGAIN STABILITY. AMISTAD HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM SERVED 34 HOUSEHOLDS, 39 CLIENTS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS TO MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE AND STABLE HOUSING, REDUCE THEIR RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AND IMPROVE THEIR ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE. THE AMISTAD'S EL CAMINO A CASA EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDED HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES TO 41 INDIVIDUALS AND 21 HOUSEHOLDS AND RAPID REHOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 21 INDIVIDUALS AND 16 HOUSEHOLDS. UNDER THE AMISTAD'S HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICE PROGRAM, 47 CLIENTS, 22 HOUSEHOLDS WERE PROVIDED WITH RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES AND 47 CLIENTS, 18 HOUSEHOLDS WERE PROVIDED WITH HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES. THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES TO MOVE QUICKLY TO PERMANENT HOUSING AND RECEIVE STABILIZATION SERVICES. HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FROM MOVING INTO AN EMERGENCY SHELTER OR UNSHELTERED PLACEMENT. THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH STABILIZATION SERVICES AND SHORT AND OR MEDIUM-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE.