June 27th, 2007 - 2007 Homeless Census Gets Media Attention
Larry Maxwell, Interim client and employee, got a surprise when he picked up the Monterey Herald on Wednesday - his own life story on the front cover.
Larry agreed to speak before the County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday as part of the Coalition of Homeless Service Providers presentation. Following the presentation Larry was interviewed by The Herald.
It was a surprise to all Interim and Coalition staff to see the story on the front page the next day. "This is the first time the story of the homeless in Montery has made front-page news in such a positive way," said Barbara Mitchell, Executive Director of Interim, Inc. "We take it as an indication of increased awareness of homelessness and a recognition that this is a local problem that requires local involvement and commitment."

Meanwhile Larry was back at work on Wednesday, manicuring the plants around Interim's Sandy Shores property. Although flattered by the attention, Larry remains modest.
"I'm just so grateful to Interim, to Maria (Lindley) and Jody (William "Jody" Gulley) for all they've done for me over the years. I couldn't have made it without them."

Larry's story is familiar to anyone who works with the homeless - Undiagnosed mental illness; durgs and alcohol to ease the pain; some time in prison; then out on the streets, with nowhere to turn. Fortunately for Larry he was able to get his life back in order, thanks to Interim and programs like MCHOME. Larry now has a full-time job, a permanent home, and has reconnected with his family.

Help us create more success stories like Larry's - make a donation to Interim!

Read Larry's story in The Herald
Read review of Homeless Census findings in The Salinas Californian

June 26th, 2007 - 2007 Homeless Census and Survey Published
The Monterey County Coalition of Homeless Service Providers (CHSP) today published the 2007 Census and Survey, detailing the state of homelessness in Monterey County.

1,402 individuals on streets or in shelters      Down 11% from ’05 3,766 individuals were homeless at some      point in preceding 12 months (est.) Two major clusters of homelessness      Monterey Peninsula – 48% of homeless      Salinas – 41.3% of homeless 78% lived in Monterey County prior to becoming homeless Read the Press Release (Word, 190KB) Download the Report (PDF, 1.43MB)

June 19th, 2007 - Pearl Street Apartments Reopen
Today Interim celebrated the reopening of the Pearl Street apartments after a 3-month remodel. Clients, families, staff, donors and representatitves from the city and county were all present to celebrate a major makover of one of the first buildings acquired by Interim.
Construction began with gutting of the eight units, replacement of all windows and updating of wiring and plumbing. New kitchen cabinets, appliances and heaters were installed.  Bathrooms received a complete make-over, with new shower stalls, toilets, and sinks.  Flooring and window coverings were also replaced. Funding for the renovation was received from a variety of sources including Monterey County Office of Housing and Redevelopment, Berkshire Foundation, City of Monterey, AT&T Pebble Beach Charities, Community Foundation for Monterey County,  and Interim’s annual Hoedown for Housing funds.

Dual Recovery Service (DRS) Program Launched
Interim's latest program, Dual Recovery Service, is both a new program and an expansion of our existing Outreach/Aftercare services designed to assist adults with mental illness and concurrent addiction disorders.
“Our ultimate aim is to foster positive change and greater self-sufficiency in clients who are waiting to enter a substance abuse program, and those who have successfully completed such a program” says Christina Barnes, Program Coordinator. "It takes an  awareness that the choices one makes have consequences.  This awareness is often lacking in the people we help.”
The DRS team helps clients to recognize their own strengths and dreams for the future, as well as acknowledge those issues that have proved troublesome for them in the past. They educate clients and help them understand how drugs and alcohol impact their brain chemistry, as well as how substance abuse interacts with their prescribed psychiatric medications.
More information on DRS...