Shelter from the storm

The Friendship Shelter is a way station on the road to a normal life

for people with few options, according to Executive Director Janet

Larkly.

The organization is one of the only year-round emergency shelters

for homeless adults in South Orange County.

The facility accommodates up to 29 men and women at a time,

according to Jennifer Miller, director of development.

Larkly feels there is a misconception that those who end up

homeless have simply chosen their circumstances.

“A lot who want help won’t get it,” said Larkly, who claims her

facility is almost always filled to capacity, with a waiting list of

two to six weeks.

“Homelessness is a consequence of other problems,” said Larkly.

“Things spiral down for people; no one ever plans on it.”

The shelter, which helps an average of 300 homeless persons a

year, derives 29% of its annual budget from fundraising and special

events.

It will hold a benefit, “Jazz by the Sea in Laguna,” Sunday from 6

to 9 p.m. at Madison Square & Garden Cafe, 320 N. Coast Highway.

Performing will be Luther Hughes and the Cannonball/Coltrane Project.

Founded in 1987 by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, the Friendship

Shelter operates as a private, nonprofit entity.

The Friendship Shelter is designed to help people resume a normal

life.

According to the Orange County Healthcare Agency’s website, there

are nearly 28,000 homeless people in Orange County on any given

night.

Residents of the shelter may struggle with drugs and alcohol,

suffer a crippling mental illness, be recently out of prison, or

simply be down on their luck.

Larkly and her staff of five full-time and 10 part-time employees

give each resident individual attention and training in personal

finances, self-esteem and health and nutrition.

According to Larkly, applicants must pass a drug and alcohol test

and are expected to stay in compliance with the house rules.

The shelter operates with three levels of treatment, which include

immediate response, an extensive 60-day regimen and a program for

those with mental illnesses.

All residents are given free room and board and are expected to do

daily chores.

Each day begins with a group meeting where individuals announce a

goal for the day.

The shelter doors are closed from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., a time when

residents are expected to work toward meeting goals that may include

staying sober, finding work, registering for Social Security or just

staying in a positive frame of mind.

Time in the evening is set aside for the residents to talk about

their efforts to meet desired goals.

“Learning to live responsibly and harmoniously [is] emphasized,”

said Larkly.

“They all have issues of stress to deal with.”

Larkly works to help people move into more appropriate

environments, which may include individual housing, shared living

situations or a reunion with family and friends.

“Completion of the Friendship Shelter’s program greatly reduces

the chances of going back to the streets,” Larkly said.

Those who finish the 60-day program are eligible for transitional

housing at the Henderson House in San Clemente, which is also

operated by the Friendship Shelter Inc.

The common challenge Larkly sees her residents face is the ability

to earn enough to pay rent.

While Laguna Beach may offer a therapeutic ocean view, there is a

disadvantage for those with low income who are unlikely to find

affordable housing in town, she said.

Seeking jobs and housing in other parts of Orange County is

another logistic challenge to Friendship Shelter residents, who

typically have no personal transportation.

Proper medical care for residents is also difficult to obtain.

The addition of a part-time health coordinator to Larkly’s staff

has been “a wonderful gift to residents,” but not enough.

Larkly said dental and vision care are the most needed treatments.

Those who are unsuccessful after leaving the program are allowed

to return after a year, at which time a different approach will be

taken.

Tickets to Sunday’s Shelter benefit event are $100 for

individuals, $180 for couples. Reservations: Jennifer Miller, (949)

494-6928, ext. 14, or o7www.friendshipshelter.org.

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