By Linda Kor Navajo County has few options when it comes to providing for the homeless, which can include those finding themselves in difficult financial struggles, on probation for crimes committed, or even mentally ill and unable hold a job or provide for themselves. Although Navajo County includes 26 cities and towns, The Bread of Life Mission in Holbrook is the only homeless shelter in the county. The mission has been in operation since 1996 when it was organized to provide the much-needed service of bringing in those that were otherwise left out during the cold winters and searing summer heat of the high desert in Holbrook. Today, those being served have extended beyond Holbrook’s city limits to include those from all walks of life and from all across the country. According to Director Cherise Merrick, the shelter is a ministry mission, with a Christ-centered philosophy of serving those less fortunate and serves whomever may be in need. But recently several guests staying at the mission reached out to The Tribune with concerns they had regarding the services and the treatment they receive at the mission. Those concerns were addressed with Merrick, with multiple efforts made to interview Board President Kevin Berg with no response. The names of guests that came forward are being withheld as they continue to reside at the mission. The primary complaints were regarding the treatment by staff and the inability for guests to save money in an effort to build a new life away from the mission, find work or even get to work if employment was found. According to the complaints, the mistreatment reported was in relation to verbal abuse by some of the staff and the constant threat of being “exited” or removed from the facility for questioning those in authority. Merrick addressed that complaint, admitting that she has had problems with some staff members and how they treat guests, but added that those concerns have been addressed. “We are teaching Christian principals so of course we have to teach everyone in a Christlike fashion.” Merrick explained that the mission experiences continual transition, with guests staying for a day, a month or even longer than a year and that as many as 30% of the guests struggle with mental illness, making for some stressful situations. Those staying at the facility and are able to work are often sent to “spot jobs” and complaints include that some are locations where there are known drug problems. In response, Merrick said that if it is learned there is a job site with known drug problems the guests are no longer sent there. But according to the guests interviewed, that is not the case, with two stating that a guest was warned in advance that they would be drug tested upon return because the place they were being sent to work was known for having drugs on the premises. Another complaint was the lack of employment opportunities or the ability to get to work due to lack of job skills or transportation. While the mission does provide access to online job listings, the biggest road block aside from ensuring proper identification is getting to work. One guest stated that although he was willing to walk across the city for work if necessary, he wasn’t always paid at the end of the day, claiming he worked twice for a local restaurant on the far side of town and was paid by check for the first day but not at all for the second, being told that without ID they said they couldn’t pay him. He also stated that he worked for a local resident who paid the mission the agreed amount but that he was paid less than half of that once the mission gave him the money. Merrick explained that the policy of the mission is that for those earning money or receiving assistance including social security, disability or unemployment, they are asked to pay 30% of that income, or $7 per day, whichever is less. In addition, each guest is asked to provide $94.50 per month for food if they are able, which can be with their government nutrition assistance. According to Brett Bezio with the Arizona Department of Economic Security in Phoenix, homeless shelters that are authorized homeless meal providers through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) can receive nutrition assistance benefits in exchange for meals at a low or reduced price. Merrick explained that the policy is in place to remind the guests that as adults they have responsibilities and that they can’t live for free. According to Merrick, the mission is funded primarily through private donations and small grants. “I can get big grants, ones that would get me a brand-new facility. But HMIS requires individual personal information in order to obtain that and I’m not willing to provide that without the guest’s permission.” HMIS stands for Homeless Management Information System and the information required by HMIS for funding is detailed. Their documentation requires information such as names, circumstance and medical history, as well as social security numbers and other personal data in order to track the homeless population to determine what services have been received and to determine outcomes of the homeless population. Although it’s not an unusual practice among missions to request funds from guests, this provides an additional challenge for guests trying to save money to build a life or to pay court fines so that they can leave the area. But Merrick says this is an important aspect of adult life. “They shouldn’t be taught to rely on handouts.” The problem of transportation if a guest should find work is also a concern. The mission is on the north end of Holbrook and on the east side of the interstate. Without public transportation in the city, anyone staying at the mission would have to walk to work regardless of the weather or time of day. When asked regarding transportation, Merrick said, “We do not have special funding to provide transportation to our guests.” She explained that the mission’s vehicles are older and would not take the demand, although this past year a donor did purchase a newer used van. “We don’t have the drivers or the fuel and maintenance costs that would be involved for a taxi service.” Merrick said vehicles are used primarily for mission business such as picking up food from local donations such as Catholic Charities, NACA and going to the food bank in Flagstaff. “We pick up meds from Safeway, drive to meetings and a variety of necessary transportation needs. We are always happy to include ride-assistance to and from errands as we are out and about, we just can’t do rides-on-demand.” If a guest at the shelter should have their own vehicle, they are not allowed to provide rides to fellow guests, to do so could result in removal from the mission. “If one has a car, then that’s where they hang out. They just go and park somewhere. So we don’t let that happen,” explained Merrick. One guest complained that while they are expected to contribute to the mission, the overcrowding was very stressful, that they are served outdated food, and treated more like misbehaving children with the constant threat of being “exited” if they question any of the services. The mission has just over 30 beds but can have over 50 guests, leaving many to sleep on mats on the floor. To assist guests, the mission offers a program that Merrick says helps those staying there learn the value of saving money. The savings program involves putting earnings in a savings account managed by the mission and after $1,000 is saved, the mission adds an additional $500 in order to help them get on their feet. If they don’t complete the program the money is returned. The reason for the program is because according to Merrick, “many don’t know the first thing about managing their finances. They just take it and go spend it all on junk food.” When asked if there are any opportunities for skills training, Merrick said that while those services were available in the past, they are currently not being offered. “In the past we have had life skills classes taught from the County Extension (Navajo County Extension Office) through the library, and other individuals have taught sewing classes and cooking on $5 a day, as examples. The health department has provided great classes and instruction. Life skill classes are always welcome. Our guests have taken advantage of the GED classes at NPC (Northland Pioneer College), construction courses and many others offered.” Holbrook Police Chief Nathan Christensen said his experience with the mission is the impact it has had on the community. “Some of my concerns with the mission is that it seems to have turned from a place to offer temporary assistance to those down on their luck to a halfway house with some residents living there for extended time periods.” Christensen stated that law enforcement surrounding jurisdictions utilize the mission including the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Snowflake-Taylor Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “(They) either take people there or recommend them to come to Holbrook because we have a mission.” Christensen stated that the calls to the mission have impacted police services for a department that is already short staffed. “Since January 2020 we have had 89 calls there. The majority of the calls were medical calls. This year there have only been 15 calls.” He added, “Having the mission brings unwanted or transient people, including sex offenders from other communities where they commit crimes at the mission to include drug offenses, assaults, fights, stolen vehicles, thefts, etc. or around town. This adds to our call volume.” While some have the option to leave and move to a shelter outside of the county if they choose, for others that’s not the case. Those who have been convicted of crimes and are placed on probation will likely have to remain in Navajo County for the duration of their probation. If they have no friends or family willing to take them in or that are approved by probation, the mission is their only option for housing. If they are arrested on the interstate and their vehicle impounded for 30 days, the mission is where they land if they don’t have the funds for a hotel. Navajo County Adult Probation Chief Probation Officer Jason Cash, explained that the interstate compact has certain requirements that hinders the ability to transfer probation sentences outside of Navajo County. “We would love to be able to send people home to serve their probation but we simply can’t afford it. If they violate their probation in that state, we have to transport them back to Navajo County to go before a judge.” The Interstate Compact for Adult Supervision is the only legal mechanism in the country for the interstate transfer of the parole or probation of an adult offender. If someone wants to return home to serve their probation, they have to pay $400 to the courts to do so. According to Cash, in other counties the fees can be much higher. Merrick explained that the Bread of Life Mission’s mission is mainly to provide physical assistance and spiritual guidance in a life changing manner. “Over the years we have expanded as many services and opportunities as we can with limited resources and limited staff in a small rural area. We are blessed to help people with resume’s, job search, job readiness, document recovery, time consuming applications such as SSD, SSI, AHCCCS, and veteran’s services. We help people plug into the public fiduciary, guardian services, adult protection, and so much more.” Merrick noted that she would welcome anyone willing to come to the mission and volunteer their time with training, resume building or job assistance including proper grooming when looking for employment. She would also welcome any training from institutions such as the college and could possibly provide transportation if there was. Merrick said that as a Christ centered operation, that’s where the focus lies. “We are not required, but are privileged to go above and beyond in our efforts to help people succeed in a holistic effort to meet their needs for recovery and self-sufficiency. We do this because of our relationship with Jesus Christ and love for the least, lost and last.” While the guests interviewed may disagree with how that philosophy is presented, with so few options to provide for those in need of shelter an opportunity in Navajo County, the Bread of Life Mission may be the only option to life on the street in Navajo County.
