Pledge: Pres. Paul Moore
Prayer: Carroll Bowser
Song: Bill McLaughlin
Brents Card Game Winner: Jason Smith
Sergeants Report: Rick Beck
Raffle Winners: Brent, Carroll, Keith
Happy Bucks: New inductees Jack and Kirby, the Dictionary Project which is getting underway, the Turkey Drive
Announcements:
Charlie Norz announced that after the meeting we will get the dictionaries stickered and boxed up. Distributing them will begin next Wednesday Nov. 9 starting at St. Johns at 9am followed by Goodwin School finishing about 10:30. It's gratifying to see the kids get their own dictionary. The kids and teachers appreciate this gift from our Rotary Club.
Carroll announced the upcoming RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) conference is next weekend in Stratford and we need to provide rides for the students to and from Stratford. Carroll will drive to Stratford and Paul and Angus will pick up on Sunday. A volunteer to drive to Stratford is still needed so that 2 cars and more room will be provided. There are 2 students from Old Saybrook and 2 from Old Lyme.
Keith talked about a recent meeting he attended for new Presidents and Vice-Presidents. There will be some changes enacted in RI charter and if anyone would like to propose a change, do it soon. You can talk to Keith on how to propose a charter rule change.
Induction Ceremony: Bill McLaughlin
Jack Sikora, a retired college professor, was formally inducted into the club. Bill O'Shaughnessy was Jack's sponsor. Welcome to the club Jack!
Program: Jim Dunn
Working with the United Way, there is a plan to end homelessness in Middlesex County in 10 years. This is a nationwide and statewide effort and Middlesex County is at the forefront. Jim Dunn runs a nonprofit housing construction company. Here are some numbers: in 2010 it is estimated that nationally about 650,000 people are homeless and about 4100 are in Connecticut and about 215 in Middlesex County. 30% are veterans. The majority are single adults. This is a mobile population so counts are difficult. The cost of supporting the homeless is great when you take into account other aspects such as medical care which is primarily the emergency room for this population. The cost of living in supportive housing is about $90,700 a year per person.
The 10 year plan has 2 guiding principals: 1- end homelessness, 2- recognize that this is a regional problem that must involve everyone to work. Solutions: Housing is the first solution. once you get people in housing, its much easier to treat other problems such as addiction and health problems. Old Saybrook is taking the lead through the Ferry Crossing project for people with moderate incomes. The trend is going in the right direction, homelessness is decreasing slowly. Supportive housing of various types must be made available on a regular basis and location is important. For example being close to job training programs and treatment centers will have long term beneficial effects. There are 56 supportive housing units throughout Middlesex County.
Employment/Income- there is a group working on this, helping people look for jobs, providing transportation to interviews and getting them ready by providing fresh, clean clothes. Putting people in touch with job opportunities is the goal. There is federal funding available thru HPRP - a grant of $150,000 has helped 100 families in 10 towns. Everyone can help by either donating money or time as a volunteer. Misconceptions need to be refuted. For example, people think real estate values will decline when supportive housing moves in and its been shown that this isn't true. Nor will schools experience large student population increases resulting in higher taxes.
To learn more, go to www.endinten.org
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