Kind Grounds
Annual Report: 2023 - 2024
Prepared by David Allhusen, MSSW, LCSW
Mission:
Kind Grounds Mission Statement:
We provide services enabling the provision of resource distribution, compassionate support, education, and a path towards socioeconomic stability for the local unhoused population of Natrona County. We empower people creating access and supportive relationships with existing and created social services. We create a community where homelessness is but a transient phase of life.
Introduction/Structure/Services:
Kind Grounds opened its doors on November 1, 2023 to serve as a ‘warming place’ for the homeless in Natrona County. The vision and expansion of services sought to evolve creating a resource hub for those in need of a meal, access to social services, and supportive networks to aid in their transition. Staff initially were constructed with an executive development coordinator, a kitchen manager, and a program manager. The agency was open three days a week from 7:30am - 2pm. As time progressed the agency advanced to elevating the kitchen manager to food procurement manager and then hired a cook who also operates as a facility manager.
Services offered remain a safe place for the unhoused to visit and seek supportive social services. Two meals each day are offered at no charge to the clients. Kind Grounds remains open on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
Agencies visiting and performing outreach services at this time include Healthcare for the Homeless, Central Wyoming Counseling Center, Community Action Partnership of Natrona County, 211 outreach. UW Extension Services, University of North Dakota OT graduate students, Wyoming Veterans Commission, and Wyoming Housing Network. Other community services are offered an opportunity to also participate in the quasi-navigational center model offered by the existence of Kind Grounds.
As Kind Grounds serves as a resource hub for a client population of unhoused that other agencies are ill-equipped to manage, the mission seeks to progress in the years to come as a community agency in which no form of mental illness or aspect of being a socioeconomic refugee would negate access to care.
Homelessness remains an issue in Wyoming as elsewhere. The socioeconomic conditions of ever increasing rent exceeds access to some receiving disability income without additional supportive networks. Others, because of legal complications involving release from correctional programs, are finding reintegration and upwardly mobile pathways difficult or inaccessible. Still, there are members of the community afflicted with severe mental illness and brain conditions of which they are challenged to access appropriate social services that would enable them to become housed and more productive citizens. Many of such populations fall prey to addiction and adverse behaviors serving as poor coping mechanisms in their individual management of poverty. Kind Grounds serve as a threshold for such clients to cross entering into a world and conditions of which change and access to social services may alter being unhoused.
Services Offered:
Case Management provided through several agencies as mentioned above.
Cent$ible Nutrition classes offered yearly.
Crisis counseling offered to clients at their request by a licensed social worker on staff.
Wyoming Housing Network offering financial assistance classes beginning June 2024 and annually thereafter.
Central Wyoming Counseling Center, providing access services.
Mental Health and Addiction Education.
Veteran benefit services.
Some assistance with local transportation.
A resting area is provided for napping during hours of operation.
Clothing distribution through donations provided.
Others envisioned for the future as other agencies join the milieu.
Target Population:
● The unhoused residing in Natrona County. The population consists of males and females of all ages. Several adolescents and children of the adult unhoused population also frequent Kind Grounds. Many are between being housed and unhoused due to complicated financial problems and seek supportive services such as that offered by Kind Grounds.
Needs Assessment:
● UND OT Graduate Students conducted a needs assessment in January 2024 of the client population utilizing services at Kind Grounds. The major determination of the assessment identified the lack of transportation services, mental healthcare access, substance use treatment resources, funding and support for job training and skill development, lack of positive leisure time experiences, safety issues, food insecurity, training in self-advocacy work, financial education, supportive employment resources.
Operational Plan:
● Kind Grounds is open three days each week and provides two meals each day. A breakfast is provided as many have gone without food in the previous 24 hours. An additional lunch is provided. Additionally, snacks and dry goods type food are provided for clients to take with them. A licensed clinical social worker remains on staff and is available to clients for individual case management and crisis counseling. The social worker maintains professional liability insurance and is licensed by the State of Wyoming. The social worker endeavors to aid in the development of the agency and network with the agencies most likely to impact the client population.
Kind Grounds employs staff to provide food access to the client population. All food service personnel have completed a ServSafe program and are certified. A food procurement manager provides development ensuring Kind Grounds has food and beverages to address the needs of the client population.
Kind Grounds has developed a Board of Directors consisting of at least 5 members of the community. The Board is a volunteer entity and aids in the development of the agency and funding the agency through activities and grants.
Marketing and Outreach:
● Kind Grounds employs a part-time Executive Development Coordinator, Dan Odell, at this time. Mr. Odell is employed as the Senior Minister at the First United Methodist Church in Casper, Wyoming. Mr. Odell works and networks with a number of agencies promoting the work of Kind Grounds.
Kind Grounds is an active member of the Central Wyoming Homeless Collaborative and the members of the agency meet with other agencies in Natrona County monthly to discuss deployment of services and in seeking the amelioration of homelessness.
Kind Grounds website: www.kindgrounds@kindgrounds.org
Financial Plan:
● Outline of the agency's budget, including operating expenses, staffing costs,
facility rental or purchase, program costs, fundraising initiatives, and
projected revenue streams from grants, donations, and fundraising events.
Evaluation and Impact Measurement: Provided by data compiled by Deb King, LLC.
Sustainability Plan: See strategic plan.
Conclusion:
● Kind Grounds serves a previously abandoned niche in the community of people in life transition associated with their affliction with mental illness, addiction, or legal complications hindering economic advancement and self-sufficiency. Many of those served remain in transition with many moving on in their life while some will remain socioeconomic refugees in society.
Strategic Plan: (Proposed):
Strategic Goals and Objectives
Enhance Service Accessibility
Objective: Increase participation and accessibility to essential services like, food, mental health support, and career development and connections to other resources.
Initiatives:
Develop partnerships with local organizations for in-kind donations (food, hygiene products, clothing).
Establish transportation support to and from the facility.
Increase awareness by fundraising and outreach
Strengthen Health and Wellness Support
Objective: Improve physical and mental health services for the unhoused.
Initiatives:
Partner with health providers for on-site services (medical screenings, vaccinations, therapy sessions).
Launch wellness workshops (mental health awareness, stress management, and substance abuse counseling).
Develop an in-depth referral system with local healthcare and mental health clinics for ongoing support.
Focus on Skill Development and Employment
Objective: Prepare participants for workforce re-entry through targeted skills training and employment opportunities.
Initiatives:
Establish partnerships with vocational training programs and local businesses for internships and apprenticeships.
Offer resume-building workshops, job search support, and digital literacy training.
Create a “Job-Ready” program certifying participants who complete training, fostering credibility with potential employers.
Build Community Awareness and Engagement
Objective: Increase community support and reduce stigma associated with homelessness.
Initiatives:
Launch a “Community Champions” program inviting local volunteers and advocates to get involved.
Host quarterly open house events to showcase program impact and needs.
Develop a storytelling platform that shares success stories, breaking stereotypes and inspiring community investment.
Financial Sustainability and Resource Development
Objective: Secure diverse funding sources to ensure program longevity.
Initiatives:
Apply for grants focused on homelessness, mental health, and workforce development.
Host annual fundraising events and build relationships with local businesses for sponsorships.
Explore a membership or social enterprise model where small revenue streams are generated through community services or products made by participants.
Data-Driven Program Evaluation and Improvement
Objective: Use data to measure outcomes and drive improvements.
Initiatives:
Develop a tracking system for participant progress (e.g., housing stability, employment, mental wellness).
Conduct annual evaluations and client satisfaction surveys to assess program impact.
Report quarterly progress to stakeholders and funders, using insights to adapt programs to emerging needs.
4. Action Plan Timeline
Year 1 2025: Focus on building partnerships, establishing core services (health, food, basic needs), and launching awareness campaigns. Secure new location. Finalize 501c3 status
Year 2 2026: Increase community events, and secure more funding from grants and community donors.
Year 3-5 2027-2029: Expand services, increase funding sources, evaluate program impact, and refine services based on feedback. Expand services to include night programs.
5. Evaluation and Success Metrics
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
Increased daily attendance and program enrollment.
Number of individuals gaining employment and securing housing.
Community awareness and engagement levels (event attendance, volunteer sign-ups).
Percentage increase in funding from diversified sources (grants, donations, sponsorships).
6. Stakeholder Engagement
Internal Stakeholders: Staff, volunteers, and program participants.
External Stakeholders: Local government, health services, businesses, community organizations, and potential donors.
What Clients at Kind Grounds are Saying!
Recently, several clients were randomly asked to share their impression or define what Kind Grounds mean to them. These are some of the unedited responses:
Female (age19): “Helps me to find clothing for the weather. Helps me to not be homeless. I am working towards getting a job. Trying to get into Job Corps by January.”
Male (age 36): “Kind Grounds has provided me with a stable environment. Safe, off the street. I have greatly benefited from the meals, clothing resources. Has connected me with other community resources.”
Male (age 46): “A community enabling us to come together. Place to come that’s safe. Good food. Learning more tools and opportunities.”
Male (age 38): Enjoy the coffee, food and clothing. A nice place to stay during the day. Safe to be here.”
Male (age 31): “A warming place, a place for help and fellowship. My plan is to stay safe until I go back to jail later this month. Following that I will be making plans to visit my children.”
Visits at Kind Grounds: A Population receiving services!
November 2023: 44.
December 2023: 50.
January 2024: 176.
February 2024: 224.
March 2024: 206.
April 2024: 215.
May 2024: 210.
June 2024: 115.
July 2024: 208.
August 2024: 227.
September 2024: 219.
October 2024: 213.
November 2024: (1st - 18th): 157.
Financials: To date and last month (October).
Education and Community Seminars:
The Program and Kind Grounds: In sequence and repeated:
Mindfulness Meditation and Brain Health.
Coping With Depression.
Coping with Anxiety.
Coping with Trauma.
Coping with Addiction.
Each topic is presented in 4-week seminars of at least an hour long every Wednesday at Kind Grounds. The initial sequence was started in May 2024 and utilized a class sign up administration. For the second and subsequent iterations of the program all in attendance are encouraged to attend and classes are offered for the entire milieu at Kind Grounds.
Attendance:
May 2024: 4 graduated. Note: Graduation required attendance of all classes for the topic. Many attended one or several classes but did not complete the sequence of this first iteration.)
June 2024: 4 graduated.
July 2024: 6 graduated.
August-September 2024: Break occurred due to vacation: 8-trauma; 3-addiction.
October 2024: Suspended to evaluate for the second iteration.
Other: Please share any observations, concerns, and suggestions. We are a new agency and look forward to continued growth and engagement in the community.