August 12, 2008

Region 10 and People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM) are helping to provide a more permanent solution to homelessness in our area with the Step Up program.

“It's not all just about standing around and drinking and bumming change. There are some folks out there who are really trying to move up,” Step Up recipient, Michael Carey.

Step Up gives chronically homeless individuals, with tendencies to have substance abuse, alcohol or mental disorders a chance at being functional members of society.

“When you got somewhere and you know you can go and put your head down, and have a good night sleep, it makes it a lot easier,” Step Up recipient, Jesse Leroy Matthew Sr. said.

Step up offers housing to homeless individuals with no strings attached.

“They're no different than you or I are. The difference or the thing that stands between us is housing,” PACEM director of community and volunteer resources, Adriana Nicholson said.

“It's hard to hold down a job if you don’t have anywhere to go after work, even if it’s just to take a shower,” Carey said.

During the process of looking for funding, PACEM gathered information that would help put more money into the Charlottesville housing program.

“Some of the most chronic individuals were costing our community literally tens of thousands of dollars because they were homeless,” Nicholson said. “They end up in jail and it costs our city and counties tremendous amounts of money to keep them housed and incarcerated.”

For the last month, Carey has been doing some labor work and at turning his life around.

“It's the most they can do for me. I’ve got a place to stay now, the rest is on me,” Carey said.
“It's almost like I’m being reborn, I’m being given another chance.”

Matthew knows his day will soon come too.

“The alcohol problem of mine made me realize how far I went down, and how far I gotta go back up, so I’m gonna work my best at doing that,” Matthew said.

Step up is funded by a housing grant of more than $200 thousand dollars. In the coming months, the program is expected to place 8 to 13 others in housing.

For more information visit pacemshelter.org