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19 <br /> <br />Sample Script for Door-to-Door Outreach for Rest Stops <br /> <br />Outreach Volunteer: <br />Hi, good afternoon. My name is _____________ and this is _____________. We’re community members who live in <br />the area, and we’re hoping to chat with you briefly about an effort we’re involved in to create more safe <br />shelter for those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. We’re interested in hosting some <br />safe shelter spots nearby at _________________. Do you have a minute to talk with us about the idea? <br /> <br />Neighbor: <br />Sure. <br /> <br />Outreach Volunteer: <br />The City of Eugene created a program a few years ago called the Rest Stop Program. Have you heard of it? <br /> <br />Neighbor: <br />No. <br /> <br />Outreach Volunteer: <br />Ok, can I tell you a little bit about it? <br /> <br />Neighbor: <br />Ok. <br /> <br />Outreach Volunteer: <br />The Rest Stop Program helps people who are homeless by providing safe and legal places for up to <br />20 people to sleep and keep their belongings at designated, approved sites. <br />Local non-profit agencies oversee the sites and help the residents connect with social services. <br />The sites are fenced and have portable toilets and trash service. <br />Each site also has a site manager who stays there and is responsible for making sure everyone <br />obeys the rules and that the sites are kept clean. <br />There is zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, weapons, or disruptive behavior. <br />Rest stops have been around for over three years now and they’ve been successful at helping <br />people stabilize and move into permanent housing. They’re not permanent places to stay for <br />people but a way for folks to get back on their feet. <br />And the residents also volunteer in the parks system. They’ve provided over 550 hours of <br />maintenance and clean-up work for the parks. <br /> <br />Neighbor: <br />How do people get in, do they just walk up and get to stay? How do you tell who might be dangerous? <br /> <br />Outreach Volunteer: <br />Not everyone who is homeless is a good fit for a rest stop, so people have to apply and go through a <br />screening process in order to get in. During intake, the operators learn about an applicant’s <br />background and behavioral history to make sure they will be able to follow the rules, be good <br />neighbors, and work well with others who are already there. They can be evicted if they don’t <br />abide by the rules. <br />The operators are also really well connected to service agencies in the community and hold <br />residents accountable to accessing resources and working to improve their lives. They have to be <br />willing to make an effort to fit in to the rest stop structure. Many do, and the support they receive <br />ultimately helps them get into housing. <br />The Police Department has also reported that there hasn’t been an increase in police calls or illegal <br />activity in the areas where rest stops have been operating. <br /> January 23, 2019, Work Session - Item 2