Rotary Santa Maria South club members met at 5:30 pm at Rotary Centennial Park on August 12th to enjoy a well-prepared meal of burgers and hot dogs with grilled onions (yummm!) The off-site program and catering were both provided by Central Coast Rescue Mission (CCRM). Larry Cooney discussed with Rotary Santa Maria South members the purpose and routes of the outreach mobile food truck, as well as the challenges in habilitating or rehabilitating men in our community with addictions. Central Coast Rescue Mission offers its male meal guests an opportunity to rebuild their lives through "refuge, recovery and restoration". CCRM provides three dinners a week, two at the Foursquare Church, one near the Mission. In photos below, club members wait to order their burgers or dogs and enjoy a fulfilling meal similar to what is served on the mobile foodservice truck's rounds about town.

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According to the "One night count" performed by the County in March of 2013, northern Santa Barbara County has a homeless population of 750 men, women and children. An estimated 40--50% of those live in a car or periodically in a motel, 15% are working but cannot pay both food and rent, and about 20% are on the street.

Central Coast Rescue Mission houses 10 men at a time, and of the 10 program graduates, approximately 50% are hired and retained. CCRM starts with the men "where they are", whether that be with or without a license, a high school degree, a social security card or whatever. Step by step, the organization helps them get back on their feet. The goal of CCRM is not to enable homeless individuals in our community, but to give them hope. Participants are often referred through the court or self-identify. They are generally lacking in basic life skills and vocational skills. The first 30 days of a participants eight month program is "restoration" - they complete obligations they have agreed to such as seeing the dentist, obtaining a license or ID - activities that restore dignity. According to Cooney, though "Eight months is often not enough time for lifetime addicts to beat addiction."

CCRM is seeking mentors for graduates of their program, as well as a roundtable of employers who can help program participants identify key employment skills they need to work on. No program exists yet for women (who are referred to a women's shelter and the Lighthouse Program in Ventura), but a woman's program is an ultimate step for the organization.

Cooney mentioned some interesting data points:

        Years ago, 70% of inmates did not return to prison, now 70% of inmates DO return.

         The average business person with normal life skills makes 180-200 decisions a day. Inmates only make 25 decisions a day, making the transition to normal life very difficult upon their release.

Left to right: Club President Ken Parker with Larry Cooney of Central Coast Rescue Mission and club treasurers keeping things on track!

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  RSMS members line up for a food truck dinner at left and enjoy camaraderie with the meal at right!

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