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KARM AfterCare program helps former guests transition into permanent housing - WBIR

KARM staff and volunteers walk alongside former guests as they transition from homelessness to housing.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville’s largest homeless shelter, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, is placing a bigger emphasis on housing. Leaders said they’ve placed more people than ever, but the need continues to grow.

Terry Bray runs the AfterCare program, which helps former guests transition into permanent housing. He said one issue they face after placing former guests is their returning to homelessness.

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First Look Articles

Dive into what housing looks like for our guests at KARM through our First Look Articles, designed to give you a first-look experience into volunteering at KARM while highlighting our many programs

First Look Into Programs at KARM: Housing

Home. It’s only one word, yet it holds so much. It’s like a guarantee, something to return to after a long day. For our neighbors experiencing homelessness, it’s an accomplishment. But the road is not always easy. Finding housing comes with barriers beyond their control—ones we would never consider.

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Gaining housing for guests is not always easy; it’s complex and is determined by many factors. Some include the housing market, waitlists for low-income housing, receiving benefits or finding income, and physical or mental health disabilities. Though finding housing is only the first step, the goal is for guests to keep their housing. Barriers such as isolation, loneliness, lack of community, or accountability can be detrimental to guests.

1. Start with intake and case management: A guest usually begins by speaking with KARM staff, often through intake, shelter services, or a case manager. Staff will learn about the person’s current situation, needs, barriers, and goals.

2. Stabilize immediate needs first: Before housing is secured, the focus is often on basic stability: safe shelter, meals, identification, health needs, recovery needs, employment readiness, and connection to benefits and/or services.

3. Create a housing plan: Staff works with the guest to identify what kind of housing is realistic and appropriate. This may include a sober living program, transitional housing, permanent housing, supportive housing, family reunification, or assisted living.

4. Address barriers: Common barriers may include lack of ID, no income, eviction history, criminal history, debt, mental health needs, substance use recovery, transportation, or missing documents. Case managers help guests work through these step by step. Some things are out of our control, such as KCDC wait time and/or apartment availability.

5. Connect to resources and referrals: KARM may help connect guests with community agencies, employment resources, medical care, counseling, recovery programs, or benefits assistance.

6. Secure housing when ready and available: When a guest has the needed documents, income, support plan, and an available housing option, the Housing Coordinator helps move the process forward. This would include applications, appointments, referrals, and move-in coordination.

7. Follow-up support/AfterCare: After housing is obtained, ongoing support may be needed to help the person stay housed—budgeting, employment, recovery support, and some continued case management. This is optional for each guest, but it is available to them if they so choose.

Aftercare is a unique ministry because it isn’t part of the emergency services that homeless shelters are known for; instead, it is crafted to walk with individuals as they exit our shelter and begin rebuilding their lives. They do this through their five pillars:

Basic Needs: Supplying a starter kit, a new mattress, and household items from KARM Stores.

Companionship: Volunteers connect with participants to build relationships and accountability.

Church Engagement: Connecting participants with a community of believers located near their home to call family.

Social Groups: Hosting groups and bible studies at housing facilities.

Advocacy: Assisting in eviction prevention, self-advocacy training, and life skills coaching.

Not only do the KARM Stores fund our shelter, but guests are also able to pick out their own furniture and necessities at our stores. This helps their home feel like their home.

A great way to help our guests exiting homelessness is through our Aftercare program. Some roles allow you to be there on move-in day, helping move their furniture into their new home while making that moment special for them. Another role is being a companion to our participants by keeping in contact and fostering a relationship with them.

You can sign up to volunteer here. If you have any questions, you can email Mark Roberts mroberts@karm.org

Your donations cultivate hope, healing, and restoration for those experiencing homelessness in the Knox area.

$240 pays for a guest’s welcome basket full of essentials.

To donate, visit here.

Essentials
Overall, any upfront basic needs that Aftercare provides to set guests up for success. Some items include a laundry basket, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, and a shower curtain with hooks.
Cleaning Supplies
Anyone moving into a new house needs supplies to clean with. Aftercare provides dish soap, a mop and broom, laundry detergent, and soap so guests can keep their home neat.
Food
Nobody wants to wake up to an empty fridge. That's why Aftercare supplies groceries from a donation pantry or through a shopping trip with the guest.
Kitchen Supplies
Can't have canned foods without a can opener. Aftercare supplies: silverware, a can opener, and items from KARM stores to fill their kitchen with.
Furniture
Through the help of KARM Stores, Aftercare provides guests the opportunity to pick their own furniture to fill their home with!
Bedding
Aftercare provides a bed frame, twin sheets, and a pillow for so guests can enjoy their first night in their new home.
A New Mattress
After years of sleeping on the street or in shelters, Aftercare gives guests a brand new mattress they can call their own.
What Goes into a Starter Kit for Participants?

We want our guests to feel right at home the moment they turn their key. Aftercare seeks to ease the transition out of homelessness and help men and women continue their journey toward a fully restored, abundant life and thrive outside of KARM.

They begin by setting their guests up for success, supplying necessities for their new home!

From there, Aftercare seeks to offer companionship so guests don’t feel alone in their new transition.

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KARM Stores Trip

Finding housing after experiencing homelessness is an accomplishment; we at KARM want to treat it as such.

That’s why your donations to KARM Stores go so much further than an ordinary purchase! KARM Stores works as a resource for guests to find quality furniture and supplies to fill their new home. This reinforces their sense of dignity and individuality while also supplying their needs.

This is John. He acquired housing, and our team joined him as the Aftercare team took him to KARM stores and helped him move in.

During the trip, he thought about what he would normally use. He wanted a nice sofa and good pots and pans to cook because after moving in, he was most excited to make a meatloaf.

John now lives in his apartment while the Aftercare team continues to offer companionship.

Terry, Manager of Aftercare, said it like this:

“Our hope and our prayer for the aftercare program is not just to make sure that people have a sustainable lifestyle and a stable place to live, but also to encourage them that as they become stronger and as they find that stability in their life, they might want to come back and help someone else who’s just beginning the journey that they’ve just gone through.”

Catch Us At the Knoxville Christmas Parade!

We will have a float in the WIVK Christmas Parade in downtown Knox on December 4 at 7.00 pm.

Bring your family for a fun night of festivities, and make sure to give us a wave as we pass by!

We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays and our newly housed neighbors!

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