The Heartland Association of Realtors is sponsoring a supply drive through Oct. 18 to benefit Brown County Home Solutions and their Legacy Village and Street Outreach Programs. Legacy Village is a transitional housing programs consisting of unfurnished tiny homes, while the Street Outreach Program allows BCHS to provide hygiene packs to the homeless.
According to the Brown County Health Solutions website, Legacy Village is a 6 month to 1 year residential program designed to transition the homeless back into productive society. It is not simply a place to live, it is a customized program designed to teach new habits and new behaviors to break the cycle of homelessness.
Admission is by application and the Board conducts interviews and selects the new resident. Once the resident is selected, they must pass a drug screen and we complete an assessment to see what issues need to be addressed. For example, someone may need substance abuse counseling, mental health services, a GED or job training. Whatever the resident needs, becomes their program. In addition, the resident will meet with the case manager weekly and a budget will be established for them and they learn how to manage their money and even establish a savings account.
Tiny homes are provided to the resident fully furnished and fully stocked, including food. If the resident graduates the program, then everything in the home, except for the stove and refrigerator becomes theirs. They come into the program homeless with very little and graduate with new life skills, money in the bank and a houseful of belongings.
Items needed for Legacy Village and the Street Outreach Program include:
- Linens: blankets, sheet sets, pillows, towel sets, shower curtain and rod, window curtains and rod, bath mat, kitchen mat
- Kitchen items: pots, pans, dish set, glasses, utensils (prepping, serving and eating), hot pads, dish towels and rags, cutting boards, knife sets, basic spice set, small appliances, storage containers, mixing bowls
- Cleaning supplies: all purpose spray, toilet bowl brush, duster, vacuum, broom, dust pan, mop, garbage bags, trash can, Lysol, glass cleaner, dish soap, laundry detergent
- Paper goods/misc.: towels, napkins, tissues, cups, plates, toilet paper, Ziploc bags, foil, Saran Wrap, storage items, iron and ironing board, basic tool kit, matches or lighters, candles, flashlights
- Hygiene kit items: soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, toothbrush holder, dental floss, razors, shaving cream, skin lotion, mouth wash, baby powder, feminine products, mirror, wet wipes, washcloths
- Food items: ready to eat cans with easy open lids, protein bars, beef jerky, trail mix, bottled water, bottle water flavor packs, apple sauce, pudding, fruit cups, tuna kits, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate
- Misc: blanket, hand warmers, gloves, socks, hats, first aid kit, basic meds – hydrocortizone cream, pain reliever, zinc oxide cream, bandages, triple antibiotic cream, Bactin spray, nail brush, mani/pedi kit, back packs, gift cards, travel mugs from local convenience stores for cheap refills
Drop off locations for these items include:
- Heartland Realtors at 503 E. Anderson
- Texas Goldstar Real Estate at 2222 Highway 377 Suite 1
- TexasBank at 400 Fisk Avenue
- United Country Heart of Texas Real Estate at 952A Early Blvd.
- Mike Hall Insurance State Farm at 206 W. Austin Avenue
- Coldwell Banker Mark Campbell at Associates at 1900 Austin Avenue
- The Wells Team Keller Williams Realty at 502 E. Chandler