Greenville has an ad hoc group referred to as The Coffee Club that represents more than two dozen homeless service providers that arose from the Tent City crisis in 2014. Miracle Hill serves as the fiscal agent for the group, which includes Greater Greenville Mental Health, United Ministries, Miracle Hill Ministries and the Salvation Army. At the start, the group’s main task was discussing and voting on ways to use the funds that were raised during the crisis.
Today, members of the group, including case managers and social workers, meet weekly to identify homeless individuals who have fallen outside the system or who require a coordinated effort to become housed. Additionally, funds have been used to secure shelter for people who are experiencing homelessness but are unable to go to an emergency shelter because of their physical or mental health.
By coordinating service among providers and discussing client needs at the individual level, there has been improved communication and cooperation, including a move toward a single entry system, which has helped provide an effective, comprehensive response to homelessness in our community.