- June 28, 2010
The Sheriff conducts a series of camp sweeps. About thirty men and women displaced with no legal shelter alternatives. The working campers must sacrifice their labors in order to find new places to secure themselves and their belongings. - Representatives from The Source arrange meetings with Chief of Police Donald Dappen and Sheriff Deryl Loar to seek opportunities for partnership. It is understood that camp sweeps do nothing to actually reduce the number of homeless people living in the woods.
- The idea to create a “Camp Haven” begins to germinate. The vision proceeds from the need: people who become homeless in Indian River County should have a safe place to sleep at night while they work to get back on their feet.
- Louise Hubbard, Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council is consulted on the viability of creating a soft shelter in our county. She directs representatives of The Source to several research sites.
- July 2010 – October 2010
Research conducted on legal encampments operating throughout the United States and Canada. Of particular interest was a report entitled “Tent Cities in America” by the National Coalition for the Homeless (March 2010). This report details the history, challenges, and successes of eleven separate tent city models along the pacific coast. - Using the data collected from our research, representatives of The Source begin to outline a camp concept that would be most appropriate for our community.
- Meetings continue with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council.
- Representatives of The Source arrange meetings with County Commissioners Wesley Davis and Bob Solari, separately. The concept outline was presented and inquiry was made regarding zoning and permitting issues. More importantly, the commissioners were asked, “What are the community concerns going to be, and how can we address them?”
- Refinement continues on the Camp Haven concept.
- November 2010
Jeff Luther, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, reads an article published in the Florida Trend magazine on a tent city called Pinellas Hope operating in Clearwater, Florida. The Source obtains a case study on Pinellas Hope produced by the University of South Florida and the Pinellas County Department of Health and Human Services. - January 2011
Representatives of The Source arrange a tour of Pinellas Hope with Sheila Lopez, Founder and Chief Operating Officer. The camp has been operating successfully for more than three years. - February 2011
The Concept Proposal for Camp Haven was finalized and a Summit Meeting was scheduled for March 31 in the Sheriff’s auditorium. - Representatives of The Source arrange meetings with County Commissioners Gary Wheeler, Peter O’Bryan, and Joseph Flescher, separately, to personally brief them on the concept proposal and ask for their input.
- March 2011
Chuck Sinclair, The Source Board President, and Sonya Morrison, The Source Executive Director, meet personally with other key community leaders to present the concept proposal for Camp Haven. The concept was met with great interest, and more than thirty endorsements were secured prior to the Summit Meeting on March 31. Among them were Alma Lee Loy and Mayor Jay Kramer. - March 31, 2011 Summit Meeting at the Indian River County Sheriff’s auditorium
The Source conducts a Summit Meeting to seek input from community leaders. Attendance is estimated at 75 people. The media is on hand to provide information to the community at large. Invitation is extended for stakeholders to “join us at the table” in continuing the planning process. - April 2011
An Advisory Committee is formed with representation from a wide variety of community sectors including: nonprofit leaders, business owners, political representatives, neighborhood associations, veterans services, church leaders, workforce development, law enforcement, health and human services. The Advisory Committee meets for the first time on April 15 at the Community Church. - May 2011
Patricia Geyer is named Project Manager for Camp Haven. Pat’s credentials include involvement in a similar process to create, build, and manage the first homeless shelter for displaced residents of Elgin, IL. That program was called Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) of Elgin, Inc. and continues to operate successfully. - June 2011
The Camp Haven blog is launched to provide the community at large with information and status reports on the progress of this vital community project. - July 2011
Sub-committees complete the task of writing the business model for Camp Haven. The business model is approved by the Advisory Committee at its July 14 meeting. You can request a copy of the business model by e-mailing our project manager, Pat Geyer, at worktrans@comcast.net. - August 2011 – December 2011
The Location Sub-committee conducts its search for a suitable parcel of land on which to build Camp Haven. Representatives of The Source and the Camp Haven Advisory Committee continue meeting with community leaders in order to hear and address concerns. The Camp Haven program is modified and enhanced as a direct result of these meetings.
Architect John Dean completes an architectural rendering of Camp Haven, offering a visual representation of the program’s vision. Incorporated in the rendering are site characteristics and modular structures (shower and kitchen units) that have been built into the project as a result of discussions with community leaders.
- December 2011
Walter and Lalita Janke present a $25,000 charter donation to build Camp Haven. Negotiations begin on a potential site to accommodate this pioneering program for Indian River County. - January 2012
Camp Haven, Inc. is formally incorporated, 501c3 nonprofit status pending. Sonya Morrison is named as the Chief Executive Officer. Inaugural officers of the Board of Directors are: Chuck Sinclair, President; Jim Beckley, Vice President; Jim Schorner, Secretary/Treasurer.
- January 26, 2012 The Source holds an inaugural fundraiser for Camp Haven at Holy Cross Catholic Church. More than 250 people were in attendance, contributing over $50,000 in additional funding to help launch the project. Negotiations continue on a potential site.
I would like to get involved! Vero needs this.
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-sharp-sudden-decline-of-americas-middle-class-20120622?page=5
the world needs more compassion. Homeless people are people too – there but by the grace of god go I…