Take a walk, get treats, help the homeless

SANDPOINT — Bonner Homeless Transitions is hosting a "Treats on Your Feet" fundraiser Saturday as a way to welcome spring, get people moving, and help out those in need while getting some treats along the way.

Since 1994, Bonner Homeless Transitions has received annual funding through HUD Supportive Housing Grants, said Mary Jo Ambrosiani, president of the BHT board of directors. HUD announced this year it is changing its focus and will no longer provide funding in Idaho, so community fundraisers will be an even more important source of funds as the changes take place June 1. Between the two facilities of Bonner Homeless Transitions facilities, HUD supplied more than $200,000 a year.

"Nothing lasts forever," Ambrosiani said.

The biggest change for Bonner Homeless Transitions in June will be the closing of the Trestle Creek facility. All services will be moved to the Blue Haven facility in Sandpoint.

"It's really better for our clients, because it's costly for them to live out there," Ambrosiani said. "... And it gives us flexibility to change with what our needs in the community are. It's a lot of money to lose, but we will just have to figure that out."

The Trestle Creek Friendship Center opened in 2000 with three, three-bedroom homes, a two-bedroom home and a communal living house with four bedrooms. It housed a total of four families and four single women at any given time. Blue Haven has 10 units, with four of those communal housing, Ambrosiani said.

Historically, clients could stay for up to two years in one of the facilities to address long-term issues that led to homelessness. But with the closing of Trestle Creek and less funds to support the organization, staff will be shifting the focus to move families into permanent housing as quickly as possible, Ambrosiani said.

"But we all know that permanent housing can be difficult to come by," she said.

It could still take six months to a year for clients to find a place to live. Also, upon securing employment, adults will be expected to pay 30 percent of their income to Bonner Homeless Transitions, giving them incentive to move more quickly to permanent housing while helping to offset program costs. Staff will assist clients in saving money for initial housing costs and with assistance through other agencies for the expenses.

Ambrosiani said they will begin holding more fundraisers and seeking smaller grants to help out as well.

Nannette Heintzelman, fundraiser organizer for Bonner Homeless Transitions, said those who attend the walk on Saturday will get a punch ticket for $20 at Super 1 Foods, then they will walk to four other locations. At each location they will receive a spring treat, including flowers, pie, coffee and tea. The locations include Super 1, 624 Larch St.; Foster's Crossing, 504 Oak St.; Pie Hut, 502 Church St.; Bizarre Bazaar, 502 Church St.; and Evans Brothers Coffee, 524 Church St.

At each station, someone from Bonner Homeless Transitions will be available to answer questions about the organization and the upcoming changes. Participants can grab a friend, walk alone or in a group to each of the stations in any order they choose. 

This is the second year of the event, and although the weather is not forecasted to be as nice as last year, she said it will be nice for people to get out of their homes. Heintzelman said some people who could not participate or did not want to walk last year still made a donation, and that option is, of course, available to those who would like to help out the organization.

There is also a push by doctors in the area to get people walking, Ambrosiani said, and this is a rewarding walk because participants get treats along the way.

Prepaid tickets are available by calling 208-255-4074 or purchase tickets at the time of the event, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at Super 1.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.