'A safe place to stay': Coalition proposes a day center for homeless away from Munn Park

LAKELAND — The Homeless Coalition of Polk County Inc. has drafted a proposal to operate a day center for homeless individuals that it plans to pitch to Lakeland officials.

Bridget Engleman, executive director of Homeless Coalition, said the nonprofit organization formed a committee to examine the possibilities of creating a day center for individuals who are homeless or at-risk, hearing Lakeland's desire to renovate Munn Park. It has put together a 12-page proposal aimed at Mayor Bill Mutz and it hopes Lakeland officials will get behind.

"We'd like to put it in a central location in Lakeland where the majority of homeless individuals are to divert traffic from Munn Park," she said. "We are trying to have another location where individuals can have a safe place to stay during the wait time to go into shelters."

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Engleman said she reached out to Mutz to see whether the city had a vacant piece of property the Homeless Coalition of Polk County could use to be renovated as a day center and its main offices.

Their vision statement describes the proposed facility as "a place where individuals in need can find respite, nourishment and support services that include: structured activities, individualized case management, housing assistance, medical care, government benefits, emergency food and clothing, and socializations so they no longer have to wander the street during day hours."

Engleman said there are numerous shelters close to downtown Lakeland, including Lighthouse Ministries, Parker Street Ministries and Talbot House. But most close their doors during the daytime house.

There have been increasing discussions about issues stemming from the homeless community around Munn Park. The Homeless Coalition acknowledges downtown business owners see it as a public concern and some are attempting to limit unsanctioned public feedings.

Engleman said the center would not be connected or tied to any one service provider. Rather, she sees it as a place other nonprofits, religious groups, organizations and services providers for individuals who are homeless would come to meet with clients in a welcoming environment.

"It will be a win-win for the community as well as our homeless residents," she said.

Who would it serve?

Engleman said the Homeless Coalition envisions the day center as a place that would serve homeless individuals who:

• Are older, particularly a growing segment of homeless older than 60.

• Frequent downtown Lakeland.

• Would benefit from close proximity to nighttime shelters.

• Are youth, particularly older teens who are aging out of the foster care system.

• Are living in cars or temporarily or staying with family and could benefit from support services.

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The proposal calls for the day center to have "low barrier entry protocols," meaning it would be open to a wider array of people, including homeless individuals who may have been trespassed from local shelters or parks. Engleman said she envisions it open to everyone.

"The day center can be a start to stability," she said. "With stability, providing case management and housing is just a fraction of what we could do for the homeless."

What could the day center provide?

It's been debated what services and amenities a day center for the homeless could provide that would interest individuals, drawing them from Munn Park. Engleman said she spent four days speaking with those who frequent the park, finding out what their needs and desires are.

"There's an individual who goes to work every single day, bringing three backpacks every day he's afraid to leave at the shelter that they'll get stolen," she said.

Engleman said the cost of washing clothes in a laundromat can be problematic for individuals on a strict limited income who face the difficult choice between purchasing food and medicine or having clean clothes. She plans to have laundry facilities onsite.

The proposed center would have the capacity to create electronic stored copies of IDs and other important documents for homeless individuals, who have said stolen driver's licenses or ID cards are a common problem. There are plans to make personal lockers or storage areas available.

Proposed activities and services at the day care center include:

• Diversion case management.

• Electronic document storage.

• Housing assistance.

• Legal services.

• Access to medical and mental health services.

• Assistance apply for benefits like health insurance, food stamps.

• Coordinated meals and outreach activity.

• Clothing assistance and hygiene supplies.

• Personal grooming care.

• Laundry service.

• Phone charging or access to a public phone.

• Restrooms.

• Classes and workshops on life skills such as finances, job readiness skills.

• A print, copy and scan center for documents.

• Pet care.

Engleman said she would ideally like for the center to have outdoor space where people can rest and relax in private. She said she has asked Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse if the coalition could have some of the benches that were recently removed from Munn Park to refurbish and add to its own green space.

Other long-term goals include providing shower facilities, possibly like portable showers the Federal Emergency Management Agency can bring into areas after a hurricane. The coalition seeks to have a commercial kitchen of its own, a nurse volunteer to help assess health needs, and assistance with work or volunteer opportunities for clients.

To accomplish this, the Homeless Coalition has estimated it needs a budget of $136,000, which provides for a director, support staff and $10,000 in facilities upgrades with an annual rent of $36,000.

Impact on Munn Park

"We are never going to have homeless people not be in Munn Park," Engleman said. "It is their park."

Engleman said the aim is to have individuals visit the park for a few hours to relax — or meditate, she suggested ― more of a place they are visiting and passing through than a permanent hangout.

The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority's board of directors planned to discuss the proposal on Thursday morning. The group could choose to make a recommendation in support or provide feedback on the proposed day center plans.

Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz, to whom the draft proposal is addressed, told The Ledger he had not had time to adequately review the document and had no comment.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Coalition proposes a center serving Lakeland's homeless during the day