Table of ContentsGrant Project OverviewStatement of NeedsBrief StoryConstituency DescriptionProgram Goals, Measurable Goals, and Associated ActivitiesCalendarOther OrganizationsEvaluation PlanDissemination of ResultsBudgetAngels Above Grant Project Overview is an agency based in Downtown Miami focused on serving the needs of the homeless population in Miami, Florida. The homeless population continues to grow in Miami, but has declined overall in the United States (Hanks, 2016). This indicates that there is a greater need than ever to mitigate the growth of the homeless population, and it must be addressed immediately. A program is needed to not only reduce the growing homeless population, but also address their diverse needs. Some of these needs include clothing, meals, hygiene products, career services and temporary housing. Through these services, the homeless population will decrease and assistance will continue to be provided to those who need it. It is imperative that such services are made available to reduce the level of poverty within the city and, therefore, improve the health of the economy and the well-being of Miami's population in general. With a budget of $100,000, the main goals to be achieved are to help at least two hundred homeless people per year through temporary housing, career services, meals, clothing and hygiene products. . Rather than focusing on helping as many people as possible at any given time, the focus will be on helping as many people as possible with the limited funding available. The money will be distributed among the five categories listed. Measurable goals include supporting at least fifty people each quarter with all services listed. Additionally, Angels Above will also ensure that individuals are held accountable through quality control procedures and measurable goals for everyone who enters the assistance program. The maximum length of time a person can stay in the program will be one month. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Statement of Need Homelessness is a persistent problem in Miami. Rather than receiving more funding to meet this need, Miami programs received less money. As the Miami Herald reports, "In an email to board members Tuesday morning, Homeless Trust Director Victoria Mallette wrote that 'nearly all' of the county's transition programs are unfunded by HUD and that related services for the homeless were taking a big hit. also” (Hanks, 2016). As previously noted, according to the U.S. Census report, the homeless population has declined overall in the United States, but it has continued to grow in the Downtown Miami area (census.gov). 20% of Miami Dade's population currently lives in poverty (census.gov). There is also a expressed problem of drug and alcohol abuse within the homeless population, which continues to contribute to the ever-increasing escalation of this problem in Miami. “People with a substance use problem may find it increasingly difficult to maintain employment and a stable home environment” (Dietz, 2007). Some programs that currently exist in Miami to address this problem are the Mother Teresa Charity Mission, Salvation Army, Community Partnership for the Homeless, Miami Rescue Mission,Chapman Center, Miami Women's Rescue, Camillus House and Lotus House. These programs are similar to Angels Above in that they provide various services such as career services and transitional housing. Although there are other programs offering similar services, the Angels Above program will be more intense in that no more than fifty people will be helped each quarter. This will ensure accountability, transparency and value-driven outcomes. Some programs that are currently operating are simply beyond their means. Rather than valuing quality and improvement, they focus on quantity. “The longtime leader of the county's homeless efforts sees the mat program in Camillus undermining a proven strategy of drawing a sharp line between life on the streets and the stability that comes with checking into a refuge” (Hanks and Smiley, 2015). Eligible for the Angels Above program will be men or women between the ages of 16 and 65, ready and willing to make the transition from life on the streets to a better life for themselves. They will commit to remaining drug, alcohol and crime free during and after successful completion of the program. The program will involve living in the transitional living quarters, contributing to assigned daily chores and tasks, attending family meetings with the group to discuss strategies, problems, conflicts, milestones and success. Additionally, they will work outside the home and provide comprehensive updates on their work and progress toward moving into their own apartment or house. They will help each other, be considerate and encourage others to set and achieve reasonable goals. Individuals will be interviewed to meet criteria, consent to regular substance abuse testing for the safety of all residents and staff, and strive to have a better life for themselves as well as those around them. Once a person is no longer dependent on the program for housing, food, clothing and other living expenses, they will find affordable housing and continue to work to support themselves. Everyone participating in the program will remit all paychecks until a sufficient balance is reached for a down payment, first and last month's rent, and accrued utilities for all three months. At this point, the individual will be considered a graduate of the program and will receive assistance in making any deposits necessary to move into their own home. They will also have a small amount of money saved to buy a minimum of furniture and clothes to continue living on their own. While in the program, they will learn the skills to budget, pay bills, and save money to ensure continued success while on their own. Description of Constituency The target population of the program is people who have lost their homes due to layoffs. , running away from home or any other unforeseen or unfortunate circumstance relatively beyond their control. The Angels Above program does not wish to address populations experiencing drug or alcohol abuse at this time, as this is a new pilot program and they do not wish to take on more than what is he can manage. Additionally, the target population wants to work and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but they simply can't take a break. They basically need a helping hand to simply help them stand on their own two feet. Often, individuals cannot get a jobbecause they don't have clothes or a shower to prepare for an interview. They may not have an address to support their claim. They may also not have a phone number where a potential employer can call them and offer them a job. Angels Above helps in these minimal aspects. It enables people of working age to help themselves and acquire the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing environment. These people will be helped to fill out job applications, learn to clean and cook, pay taxes and, above all, become contributing members of society. The best way to recruit people who will benefit from the program's help is to visit other community outreach programs and talk with staff about their recommendations for the program. Angels Above staff members will visit each homeless program in the Downtown Miami area to gather recommendations from experienced staff. After receiving enough recommendations, individuals will be asked a set of questions to ensure they meet the criteria and want to improve. The most powerful tool that will be used to benefit the program is the initiative and willingness of everyone involved. If program candidates want to improve themselves and adopt a better lifestyle, they will ensure the success of the program themselves with the help and guidance of staff. Program Goals, Measurable Objectives, and Associated Activities The primary objective of the program is to provide relief to the homeless population. in downtown Miami. To achieve this goal, the program will recruit fifty people to start. These fifty people will work as a family to learn how to manage a household. This will involve household chores, yard work, cooking, budgeting, shopping and maintaining the house and premises. Individuals will be recruited from various industries to volunteer their time to train program participants. Tax preparers, cooks, administrative assistants, social workers and legal assistants will be some of the professionals who will volunteer their time to teach workshops and answer questions. Of those fifty people, at least 75 percent should be ready to graduate within the quarter, or by March 31, so that the next group of program participants can move in. The relief objective will be measured by surveying program participants and assessing the extent to which their needs are met and their goals achieved. If at least thirty of the fifty program participants live in their own homes and have permanent employment, this program will be considered a success. Weekly assessments will be completed and recorded. Quality assurance and control methods will be in place at all times, as two full-time employees and a program founder will oversee all operations and attend regular progress update meetings. Any necessary adjustments will be implemented using assessments and status reports. Graduates of the program will also be monitored quarterly to ensure they are successful and provided with assistance when needed. This will be done through electronic and written correspondence as well as courtesy calls. The bonds formed should also last long after the program ends. Schedule The program aims to serve two hundred people per year, or fifty candidates per quarter. Each quarter will repeat with training.