Lexington Park Rotary Awards Three Oaks Shelter Operations Funds
/Three Oaks Center would like to extend sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Lexington Park. The Rotary has generously awarded the Center with funds that will support the Center's emergency shelter operations. Funds will be used to provide home furnishings, appliances, personal care items and other necessary household items for over 65 homeless households this year.
We thank you for your continued support and philanthropy in helping to further the mission of not only Three Oaks Center but also the many other agencies that are dedicated to making a difference in our community.
Board Members Needed
/Three Oaks Center (TOC) is seeking qualified individuals and community leaders to serve as board members. Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday of the month at noon. Applicants should have a history of community service and high regard for improving the lives of the homeless and those in need of permanent and supportive housing. References are required to process your request to become a board member. Questions may be directed to Lanny Lancaster, Executive Director at 301-863-7361. Please email your letter of intent with your contact information to threeoaks@threeoakscenter.org or mail to:
Three Oaks Center
Attn: H/R Committee
P.O. Box 776
Lexington Park, Maryland 20653
New Emergency Rental Assistance Program
/The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) per the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, provides temporary rental and utility assistance for eligible renters whose employment income has been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. This emergency assistance is to prevent evictions and utility turn-off, and is subject to funding availability. This program is a collaborative effort between the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services, St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services, Three Oaks Homeless Center, and Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County, Maryland (HASMC).
ERAP provides financial assistance for the following:
Up to 12 months of overdue rent – going back to March 13, 2020
Up to 12 months of overdue utility or home energy costs – going back to March 13, 2020
Up to 3 months of current or future months rent at a time
Up to 3 months of current or future months utility costs at a time
Housing-related costs due to COVID-19 such as relocation assistance, security deposits, rental application fees, accrued late fees
Each household is eligible to receive a total of up to 15 months of assistance total under ERAP. ERAP cannot pay for rental and utility costs that have been or will be covered under another funding source (no duplication of benefits). The tenant can apply for assistance themselves or their landlord can apply for assistance on the tenant’s behalf, however, tenants must sign the application and attest that all the information in the application is true.
If you have any questions, you can contact us Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (301) 863-9535 or ERAP@stmaryshousing.org.
Three Oaks Center's Designer Handbag Auction
/This is a really cool event that’s fun and has the potential to introduce a lot of new friends to Three Oaks!! Additionally, you can support this fundraiser from home, no social distancing required!! Here are the details of the event:
When:
June 25th – 6pm-10pm
June 26th – 11am-4pm
June 27th – 111am-4pm
Where: www.facebook.com/ThreeOaksCenter
It’s a different sort of auction. In this one, you will purchase spots for each item as it comes up. There will be 30-50 spots per bag (depending on the bag) and the spots will cost $15-$25 each (depending on the bag). After all spots are filled, we spin a prize wheel with everyone’s names and then we have a winner!! Payments will be via PayPal and we will get you the details as we get closer to the event.
So, here’s what we need from you Friends:
Please invite all of your Facebook friends, family and colleagues to join the event. Please encourage them to do the same and so on and so on.
Plan to join the auction on the event dates and buy lots of spots!!
If you or your business or employer would like to sponsor the event, please reach out to Barbara Saylor at barbi23@verizon.net and we can get that information to you.
In 2020, we did not miss a beat caring for the homeless population in St. Mary’s, but some of our initiatives were put off. As we start the slow process of getting back to “normal”, we need to get back to it. We need to replace the kitchen appliances in our units that house our men, women, families, and veteran clients.
Notice of Funding Availability
/PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Funding Availability: The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has published its State FY21/Federal FY20’s Homelessness Solutions Program (HSP) grant application. This grant is for non-profit providers in Southern Maryland to provide the following services:
Outreach for unsheltered households
Housing stabilization, to include Homeless prevention and Rapid rehousing services
Shelter operations
A maximum one-page written letter of intent and budget is required for any new applicants, to include the responses to the following questions:
Explain the agency's efforts to reduce homelessness within your community, specifically describing the agency's strategies for connecting clients with housing solutions.
Provide a brief description of the program(s) that will be funded through this application, including the populations that will be served.
Describe how there is need for an additional service provider(s) and how the additional provider(s) were evaluated for performance outcomes.
New applicants must provide a copy of their IRS 501(c)(3) documentation. A 25% match is required for all requests, either cash or in-kind, and proof is required as part of the request. Existing providers should only submit their requested budget.
The entire grant and policies can be viewed at https://dhcd.maryland.gov/HomelessServices/Pages/GrantFunding.aspx.
Notifications will be provided by Friday, April 24th, 2020. The total amount of funding available is $872,400.00, which is the same amount awarded for the previous year. Existing providers and new applicants must submit requested information by 4pm on Friday, April 17th, 2020 to Jackie Green, the Calvert-Charles-St. Mary’s Continuum of Care Collaborative Applicant: jgreen@threeoakscenter.org. Questions can also be directed to Mrs. Green at 301-863-7361.
We Need Your Help!
/
Dear Friends of Three Oaks Center:
While the expected health crisis resulting from the Coronavirus hasn’t really hit our community at present, for the homeless, the economic crisis is fully being felt.
So far, Three Oaks Center is able to assist our clients with food, cleaning supplies, linens (blankets), home medical supplies and medicines (prescriptions).
We have partners working with us and working alongside of us: Center for Family Advocacy, St. Mary’s Library, St. Mary’s Caring, Church of Ascension, Patuxent Presbyterian, St. Cecilia’s, Power House Congregation, South Point Church, The Mission, St. Andrews, First Souls Methodist, and many more. We depend on these partners to do as much as possible for our community’s homeless.
And, all of us depend on you.
I know how difficult it is to navigate this unprecedented crisis but if you would take a moment to pen even a small check to one of these groups so that sustaining this level of care may be assured.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Lastly, please let me praise our Department of Social Services, Housing Authority, St. Mary’s Co. Division of Homeless Services, our amazing Department of Health, equally incredible Emergency Management Team and all first responders. This important work of ours would be impossible without them watching our backs.
Thank you…
Lanny Lancaster
Executive Director
Three Oaks Center
hslancaster@threeoakscenter.org
COVID-19 Updates
/
Updates and Status Regarding COVID-19
Dear All:
In response to Governor Hogan’s state of emergency proclamation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and in an effort to minimize its spread to additional people, we at Three Oaks Center are taking several steps to address the situation:
Three Oaks Center offices will be closed to the public from Monday, March 16th, 2020, through at least Friday, March 27, 2020. We will re-assess this closure for its possible continuation next week and as needed. There will be a small number of staff and volunteers who will be on location for essential work associated with our more than 130 clients in residential programs.
All other staff will be working from home to support additional existing clients and potential clients served daily in our Veteran, Medical Respite, and Rapid Re-housing programs. While this will be difficult, we will be accessible to conduct business through email and phone calls during regular business hours of 9am to 5pm.
If you need resources and/or information, please do not hesitate to send us an email at threeoaks@threeoakscenter.org or leave a voicemail at (301) 863-9535. We will respond to your message as soon as possible during regular business hours.
Cancellations ….
March 18th Homelessness Prevention Board at the Housing Authority St. Mary’s County is canceled for the month of March. The next scheduled meeting will be posted to this site.
March 19th Three Oaks Center Board of Directors meeting canceled. President’s and Executive Director’s report will be emailed to board members. Committee Chairs will submit their reports in writing to Jackie Hanley. Modified minutes will be assembled in order to remain in compliance with our by-laws.
April 2nd The Continuum of Care scheduled conference in Calvert County has been canceled until further notice. As soon as the Governor and our local governments give us the go-ahead a new date for this annual event will be determined and posted to this site.
Detailed RFP 2019 HUD NOFA
/MD-508: Calvert-Charles-St. Mary’s Continuum of Care Request for Proposals (RFP): US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2019 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
The Calvert-Charles-St. Mary’s Continuum of Care (CoC) is accepting new and renewing applications for the 2019 HUD NOFA Local deadline to submit applications to the CoC is Friday, August 30, 2019 at 5pm. For more information contact Jackie Green, CoC Collaborative Applicant, jgreen@threeoakscenter.org.
General Criteria:
Applications for renewal and new projects are requested. The complete Notice of Funding Availability and all related resources for this competition can be accessed at HUD’s Homelessness Resource Exchange here. Applicants are strongly advised to review this information to better understand program eligibility components. Projects that do not fall within the HUD definition of permanent housing per the CFR or Notice of Funding Availability publication will not be accepted.
In order to be considered for inclusion in the CoC’s Application for Funding through the Continuum of Care Program, interested organizations must demonstrate that they meet HUD threshold standards for eligibility and have the organizational capacity to deliver services. Applicants must also demonstrate that their proposed projects are aligned with HUD and CoC strategic priorities and that the projects have been planned with the highest standards for quality and responsiveness to the needs of our community.
2019 Funding Priorities:
The CoC establishes annual funding priorities based on information from the most recent Gap and Needs Analysis, HUD priorities and progress on its own CoC strategic goals. More information on each of these can be found at the CoC’s website, www.somdcontinuumofcare.org .
The 2019 funding priorities for the CoC are:
A. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) that meet the requirement of Dedicated PLUS or where 100 percent of the beds are dedicated to chronically homeless individuals and families.
a. New PSH applications are encouraged for programs that demonstrate the ability to reach the unsheltered population.
B. Rapid rehousing (RRH) for literally homeless individuals, families, unaccompanied youth and other sub-populations as defined in the 2019 HUD NOFA.
a. New RRH applications are encouraged for programs that demonstrate the ability to reach the unsheltered population.
C.Joint Transitional Housing and Permanent Housing-Rapid Rehousing (Joint TH and PH-RRH) component projects to serve homeless individuals and families, includingindividuals or families fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence.
Available Funding: Total available funding is determined by HUD and based on the CoC’s 2019 Annual Renewal Demand (ARD) of $2,841,450 for currently funded projects. HUD also offers potential funding for new projects as a housing bonus for strong CoC applications. Available funding for new projects under the housing bonus is $142,073. HUD is offering an additional $50,000 in bonus projects specifically focused on Domestic Violence. Application Review: The CoC’s Quality Assurance Committee is responsible for application review. Projects that meet the minimum HUD threshold eligibility requirements will be considered for review. Applications accepted for review in this funding will be rated and ranked according to application scores and the CoC’s funding priorities for 2019, as above. The review process is broken into two components: STEP ONE: Scoring New and renewal projects will be scored using the attached rubric. The scoring rubric assesses an applicant’s project plan and past performance in providing homeless services, alignment with HUD and CoC priorities, level of participation in the CoC including utilization of HMIS and Coordinated Assessment, and demonstrated staff and organizational capacity to undertake the proposed project with HUD funding. Please see attached 2019 Scoring Rubric for more information on Threshold Requirements and scoring criteria for renewal and new projects. STEP TWO: Rating and Ranking Using the scoring results, applications are then ranked according to:
•CoC and HUD Priority
•Application Score
•CoC Housing Inventory Capacity
HUD requires that the ranking process divide applications into two tiers. Projects placed in Tier 1 are deemed essential to the CoC and will include the top scoring priority ranked projects. This year HUD has allocated $2,670,964 of the ARD for Tier 1, or $2,670,964. Tier 2 projects include remaining projects that meet HUD eligibility and threshold requirements and are ranked according to ability to meet HUD and CoC’s identified high priority needs.
Reallocation:
Hud allows CoCs to consider reallocating or reducing funds from currently funded projects to a new project that provides permanent housing, that is better aligned with HUD and CoC priorities and/or is better able to achieve outcomes for a high performing project. For more information on reallocation, please see the CoC Standards Manual, pages 53-56.
Additional information:
Please visit www.somdcontinuumofcare.org for the CoC’s Gap and Needs Analysis and Strategic Plan to end Homelessness.
Andre Rice Legacy
/Our beloved Andre Rice passed away suddenly on March 5, 2019. We miss him dearly. He was a former US Navy member who served our country, followed by a 20 year career with RE/MAX as a Realtor; and a committed member of Zion United Methodist Church and served as a Past President of Three Oaks Center. Andre was a caring, humble, loving man with a great sense of humor. He gave his time, talent and treasure to those in need in our community. We want to honor his memory by giving back to those in need.
We are asking for donations to assist various programs sponsored by Three Oaks Center; Non-perishable food items and paper products, full size personal hygiene products, t-shirts and socks. All supplies will be collected at the small businesses listed below from July 25, 2019 until August 30, 2019.
Collection Center
The Law Office of Joann Wood First Home Mortgage
Michael A. Guy Accounting Bob Taylor Engineering, Inc.
Stauffer’s Machine Shop RE/MAX Closers-Mechanicsville Office
Franzen Realty RE/MAX 100-Lexington Park Office
Leonard Realty
For additional information, please contact Mrs. Linda Taylor via email at bte@somd.net or by phone at 301-862-4300.
Notice of Funding Availability
/PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Funding Availability: The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has published the 2019 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Continuum of Care Program Competition. Nonprofit housing providers in Southern Maryland may apply for grant funding through the Calvert-Charles-St. Mary's Continuum of Care (CoC). Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM, Friday, August 30, 2019.
• Applications are being requested from existing providers to renew or reallocate currently funded projects.
• Applications are also being requested for new projects that meet the specific criteria listed in the 2019 NOFA. Existing as well as new provider agencies may apply for new project funding. Funding available for new projects is estimated to be $142,073. Please review the NOFA for more detailed information on eligibility and criteria for funding.
A webinar on the 2019 NOFA will be held on Thursday July 25, 2:00 pm. You can participate in the webinar by logging on at https://zoom.us/j/600357824
Meeting ID: 600 357 824
Organizations considering applying for a new project are strongly encouraged to attend the webinar.
For more information, contact Jackie Green, the Calvert-Charles-St. Mary’s Continuum of Care Collaborative Applicant at 301-863-7361.
The complete Notice of Funding Availability and all related resources for this competition can be accessed here: FY 2019 CoC Program Competition: Funding Availability or by logging onto: https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5852/fy-2019-continuum-of-care-coc-program-competition-nofa-whats-new-changes-and-highlights/
Notice of Funding Availability- Homelessness Solutions Program(HSP)
/PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Funding Availability: The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, administers the Homelessness Solutions Program (HSP). This program provides funding to the Southern Maryland Continuum of Care serving Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties to address homelessness. Eligible activities for this funding include Emergency Shelter, Housing Stabilization Services, Outreach and HMIS.
Nonprofit housing providers in Southern Maryland may apply for this grant funding through the Calvert-Charles-St. Mary's Continuum of Care (CoC).
All NEW projects/providers wanting to apply for this funding must submit “Letters of Intent to Apply” to the Southern Maryland Continuum of Care by April 2nd.
NEW provider applicants are strongly encouraged to read all the materials on the HSP, which can be found at:
http://dhcd.maryland.gov/HomelessServices/Pages/GrantFunding.aspx
For questions about the Homelessness Solutions Program, the application, or the application process, please contact Jackie Green, Chief Financial Officer, Three Oaks Center, at 301-863-7361 or jgreen@threeoakscenter.org.
Case Management Position Available
/Case Manager Position Available
Full-time case manager position available. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree or have a minimum of 3 years' experience in the human services field. Position includes advocacy, linkage to resources in the community, assistance with housing and financial stability and life skills development for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Candidate must have strong computer skills, a valid driver's license and vehicle as the position requires field work.
To be considered for this position, please provide a resume by email to jgreen@threeoakscenter.org or by mail to Three Oaks Center, P.O. Box 776, Lexington Park, MD 20653.