For many people living through homelessness, finding a place to talk about their experience – and what they need – is difficult.
But now, there’s a space just for that.
Traverse City’s Resilience Program had its first participant meeting earlier this year, in March. Already, the regular meetings have become a rare way for peers to offer support to each other.
What: Resilience Program Participant Meeting
When: August 17 @ 1-2PM
Where: Grace Episcopal Church, 341 Washington St, Traverse City, MI 49684
On a recent afternoon a small group was gathered in the basement of Grace Episcopal Church. Stephanie Allain was one of the group's co-chairs — but was also a peer to those attending.
"I was struggling," Allain said. "Obviously, most people staying at Safe Harbor aren't there by choice."
Allain was recently homeless, and during that time, the shelter Safe Harbor helped her get on her feet. It’s that experience that makes people here in the group trust her especially.
Allain joked about this with one of the Resilience program's advisors, and Jubilee House director, Hannah Wescott.
"As much as I love you Hannah, living at Safe Harbor is different," Allain said. "But they know you're trustworthy, too."
After participants grabbed provided food, the meeting opened with announcements and a clarification.
Allain said she had seen cards being circulated around town which said that if people got caught with drug paraphernalia, they could tell police they're throwing it away and get away without an arrest.
That is not true, both Wescott and Allain clarified.
Next, the meeting opened up to participants' questions. Thomas MacDonald, who lives in a campground in Interlochen, voiced his concerns about the new proposal to consolidate homelessness services away from downtown.
"There's no bus that goes directly there," said MacDonald. "If there’s no stop there, everybody has to walk or bike or pay for an Uber. But half of the people, we don't have that."
Wescott explained that the local bus authority, the Bay Area Transportation Authority, has been a part of the conversation, even if no routes are planned yet.
Next, the group talked about the city's new affordable housing — which they do not think is affordable.
Rents for Traverse City's newest affordable apartment complex, Annika Place II, range from $775 to $1,355 a month.
Leaders and group participants also caught each other up on how other people experiencing homelessness are doing. Notes were taken to relay up to service providers.
One of the biggest strengths of the group is that the help being offered is peer-to-peer.
"These are my people. I love them," Allain said.
Earlier that day, Allain had brought food to people she regularly checks in with at Hull Park. The fact that these people knew who she was, and what she had been through, had an effect, Allain said. One man even told her so.
"I was talking to him today, and he's like, 'You know what? Maybe I could quit drinking,'" she said. "He's like, 'if you can quit drinking... you're like a testament to us.'"
The Resilience Group meets every third Monday at Grace Episcopal Church. The next meeting is August 17 and is open to anyone experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
