the OCP blog
OCP’s interim statement on racism
Here I share the interim statement on racism that the Board of OCP approved at its last meeting: “As a direct impact of the national and global focus on police violence and anti-Black racism, Our Community Place is working internally to learn how we can operate...
OCP prepares to ramp up new “Homelessness to Housing” program
There is one thing that our growing cadre of case managers has learned this year, it’s how hard it is to get people who are chronically homeless into permanent housing. Over the last 3 months, with intensive work, and with hiring a new “housing specialist” to identify...
Thank You!!
Here’s a few of the many individuals, organizations and foundations that have kept OCP running strong over the last couple months. Thanks to our monthly donors for providing us a steady stream of monthly cash flow! Thanks to those who contributed special gifts of...
When families have lost track of loved ones: What it’s like when OCP helps families to reconnect.
by Sam Nickles Over the last few months, I’ve had the privilege of talking with family members of two older gentlemen that we work with intensively. One is in jail, but we manage his disability income and savings, pay his bills, and make a weekly deposit at the jail...
There was a simple, yet beautiful gathering at Godwin Hall last evening to remember Kurt. We laughed and cried at the stories his family and friends shared. There is so much more to a life than what what society thinks should be the norm for others. Kurt struggled...
Homelessness and Social Distancing in the Time of COVID
by Eric Olson-Getty By now most of us have become accustomed to the recommended practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19: washing hands, wearing masks, and of course “social distancing,” a.k.a. staying at least 6 feet apart from other people. Recommendations on...
It takes a Community to provide Housing for the Homeless
By Sam Nickels, Exec. Director at OCP How can someone obey the governor’s orders to “shelter-at-home” when they are homeless and must leave the shelter at 7am each morning? OCP’s top case management goal right now is to find apartments and rooms and houses for as many...
Featuring spirits of volunteerism in Covid-19 Era
By Leons Kabongo, OCP volunteer coordinator and gardens manager Ladies and Gentlemen, OCP was in a volunteer crunch as we wrestled with ramping up and re-adapting to meet the overwhelming challenges of a global pandemic. Then they stepped forward. A new breed of OCP...
Finances at OCP during the Pandemic
Recently, OCP was interviewed by The Citizen, Harrisonburg’s online local news source, about our finances during the pandemic. Here are our responses…. How is OCP weathering the financial times? Right away, OCP applied for and received funding from the...
What has OCP been up to during the pandemic?
What has OCP been up to during the pandemic?By Sam Nickels, Exec. Director at OCP Since March, OCP has gone through a major transformation. Like a butterflyemerging slowly from a cocoon, OCP has evolved into a new creature. But ourmission and vision remain the same:...
In Response to DNR story “Hotels Used to Help Homeless Self-Isolate” (May 15, 2020
The DNR story “Hotels Used to Help Homeless Self-Isolate” (May 15, 2020) was full of inaccuracies. Below I address these issues. The City Dept of Transportation is not involved in the hotel programs. The City provides funding for one hotel, where a handful of people...
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
How do we begin to thank everyone who has donated to OCP? Thanks to our donors for keeping our staff paid!Thanks to the volunteer who put out the word and got 2 dozen neighbors to donate turkeys that were in their deep freezers.Thanks to our new “food delivery...