Chum Center

CHUM Drop-In Center (Since 1982)
The Drop-In Center is a day shelter offering a safe, chemical-free environment to homeless and low-income people,
many with chemical dependency or mental health issues. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. More
than 100 different people visit the Drop-In Center on an average day. In 2005, the Drop-In Center provided substantial
services to apprioximately 900 different men, women and children each quarter.

Services include shower and laundry facilities, a mailing address, local phone use and message service, storage
lockers, free coffee and snacks, meals when the soup kitchen is closed, a “community living room” for visiting or quiet
relaxation, and recreational opportunities. The Drop-In Center advocate specializes in applications for Supplemental
Security Income and tax returns.

Other Drop-In Center Services
CHUM’s Drop-In Center is the entry point for the Nurse Clinic, Street Outreach Case Management, CHUMWorks Job
Testing and Referral, the Congregate and Family Emergency Shelters, the Housing Stabilization and Family Support
Advocates, and Income/Employment Services.

Nurse Clinic (Since 1992 as volunteer program; staff hired March 2002)
The nurse clinic provides basic health screenings such as blood pressures checks and blood glucose testing). The
clinic also provides referrals to community health providers, health education, and assistance accessing health care
systems. A registered nurse staffs the clinic 20 hours per week.

Street Outreach Case Management
Street Outreach Case Management is staffed by a street outreach worker. The program provides one-on-one and group
support for homeless alcoholics who, despite repeated efforts to maintain sobriety, are unable to stop drinking. The
program also works with other chronically homeless folks who are at-risk of encounters with the criminal justice
system.

Alcoholism frequently leads to behaviors that cause homelessness and make it impossible to maintain employment.
Long term drinking washes nutrients out of the system. Initial goals of street case management include helping people
find housing and improve their lifestyle/nutrition. Helping people assess their lives and increase their self-sufficiency is a
long term goal.

Income/Employment Services (Including CHUMWorks Job Testing & Referral)
The Drop-In Center is the entry point for guests who need help accessing Social Security Disability Income, preparing
income tax forms, and pursuing employment training and employment. One vehicle to help in the employment area is
CHUMWorks Job Training & Employment, a subsidiary nonprofit of CHUM. CHUMWorks provides job training and
supportive services (e.g., literacy and GED tutoring, health screenings & referrals, sobriety support) at the worksite for
people with multiple barriers to employment.