ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Mark Evans is the new executive director and Samantha Wheeler the new director of development at the Lynn Shelter Association.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — For more than 30 years, the Lynn Shelter Association has offered the homeless a place to stay.
But it was strictly for people who were clean and sober.
Now, that rule is changing.
Mark Evans, who was hired as executive director last summer following the retirement of Marjorie St. Paul, is offering what some would call a kinder, gentler approach.
“Our lease with the city says we must run a dry shelter and we do,” he said. “You have to be sober to engage with us. But if you show up highly intoxicated, we’ll tell you to come back when you’re able to be coherent and have a conversation with us. You won’t be banned for life.”
That approach, dubbed “housing first,” is to get a safe place to live and then the support to stay clean.
“I’m a social worker and the board was looking to bring more of a clinical lens to the agency,” Evans said.
Samantha Wheeler, the agency’s new development director, said if a homeless person has a home where they feel safe, there is a better chance they will work on issues that led them to be homeless, such as alcoholism.
Founded in 1984, the association offers shelter programs, case-management, housing opportunities, job training and placement services for the homeless on the North Shore. Clients can access adult basic education classes, mental health assessment, substance abuse counseling and access to detox and treatment, as well as assisted access to state and federal benefits.
The nonprofit operates the adult emergency shelter downtown in addition to three family-style homes on Western Avenue, Green and Baker streets. It also manages the Osmund, a former hotel, which provides semi-independent living arrangements and case management.
The Association has 83 employees and a $3.8 million annual budget. Major donors include the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Community Development and the city of Lynn.
The other goal that has been set for Evans is to build partnerships with other nonprofits. They are teaming with Lifebridge, a Salem-based homeless shelter, to coordinate services between organizations.
“If they have an empty bed and we were at capacity, we could send a client over,” he said. “The goal is regional coordinated services.”
The agency has launched a new initiative called the Launching Pad. They are working with the Haven Project, another Lynn nonprofit, that serves homeless young adults. Under the project, Haven does case management while the Association provides the housing.
“It’s working together in the best interest of the client,” he said.
One other priority that has been identified for the new management is to enhance their property on Liberty Street.
“It’s looking a little ratty,” Evans said. “We acknowledge that our presence can be difficult in the community. We want to create some gardens and paint the front of the building with the help of volunteers. We want to show that we are part of the community and we care about it.”
https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/news/kids-storm-lynn-ymca-on-their-day-off/
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].
