Becoming homeless, or fearing homelessness, is a terrible situation to be in. No matter how unavoidable the situation that led to this moment was, now you need support and options. There are a ton of resources out there and this blog post only covers a few of the many choices you have. We have put together a short, quick, actionable plan for you if you fear you may soon become homeless or are now homeless in Yuma County, Arizona.
Know your shelter options
The first thing to do when you become homeless is to know where to go for shelter. In Arizona we battle crazy dry heat and cold winters, deal with deadly outdoor pests like snakes and scorpions, and monsoon weather conditions. Even if you don't want shelter now, it's important to know where shelter is and have a plan for how you'd get there should you choose to need it.
Before exploring shelters in your area, consider any friends or family who may be able to lend you a space to sleep or shower. You may be surprised at who all is willing or able to help you if you need them. If you cannot stay where you stayed last night and cannot find family or friends able to help, look for local shelter programs.
We have a great partnership with Crossroads Mission, a Christian faith-based homeless shelter and drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility located in Yuma, Arizona. They have been around since 1959 and have tons of resource options and opportunities for those experiencing homelessness. They are an emergency homeless shelter for men, women and children, and offer 3 meals a day, every day of the year.
They are located at:
Crossroads Mission
944 S Arizona Ave,
Yuma, AZ 85364
The Men's Shelter number is: 928-783-9362
The Family Shelter number is: 928-328-8611
The Rehab Facility number is: 928-328-8082
Locate your local Food Bank
After you know where emergency shelter is located, it's important to know where to get a fresh meal. Locating your local food bank is important. The human body can only go a day or two without food or fresh water, so it's important to know where to get food if you need it, or will need it in the future.
The Yuma Community Food Bank is a great option for those currently in Yuma, Arizona.
They have been around for over 44 years in Yuma County and serve over 22,000 meals a month!
They have tons of distribution sites all over Yuma County - You can find a full list here: www.yumafoodbank.org/get-help
Other programs for food and necessities that you can sign up for, depending on eligibility, include: SNAP and WIC.
Locate your healthcare options
Once you have the immediate safety concerns of shelter and food located, you can think about other things like healthcare. Healthcare options exist for you, even if you do not have a consistent place to live. You can find healthcare clinics that are designed for people experiencing homelessness or low income, and you can find free clinics near you too.
Start with these searches:
The Human Resources and Services Administration: They offer a database of health clinics that offer free and accessible care.
Their website for searching your area is: www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
The National Healthcare for the Homeless: They have a database of providers that they know that help serve those experiencing homelessness.
Their website for searching your area is: www.nhchc.org/grantee-directory
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics: They offer a database of health providers who offer free care.
Their website for searching your area is: www.nafcclinics.org/find-clinic
Specific Help for Veterans:
If you are a Veteran, you have even more options available to you. Remember that a Veteran is someone who has served in the active military, naval or air service and was discharged or released under conditions other than "dishonorable". That means you are a Veteran if you served 2 years, and a Veteran if you served 20 years. You are a Veteran if you went to war, and a Veteran if you never personally saw combat.
If you are a Veteran, utilize the following resources:
National Community Health Partners: We have a program to help Veterans experiencing homelessness gain access to support, a plan to financial independence, and get a roof over your head. Consider calling us for help.
Our website is: www.nchponline.org
Our phone number is: 928-750-6992 (Yuma County, Arizona - speak with Miguel to get connected with other branches!)
The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: They offer 24/7 support for Veterans experiencing homelessness and can help you know about your local resources. Their number is: 1-877-424-3838.
The National Coalition of Homeless Veterans: They can help you navigate all your local resources. Their number is: 1-800-VET-HELP
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