LIVED EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MOHAWK VALLEY HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION - NY-518
The Lived Experience Advisory Committee (LEAC) convenes individuals with lived experience of homelessness. The committee is responsible for advising Continuum of Care with the goal of improving the quality and effectiveness of the homeless service system.
The voices of people with lived experience of homelessness are critical and included in every aspect of the planning, decision-making, and activities undertaken by Continuum of Care. Currently, the CoC has two board seats dedicated to people who have lived experience of homelessness and at least one member sits in the Review and Ranking committee. The Review and Ranking committee is responsible for reviewing all CoC applications, both new and renewals. The committee reviews project applications to determine whether project applications and subrecipients meet the eligibility and capacity threshold. LEAC has significant and meaningful input into the operations of the CoC.
People with lived experience of homelessness have the best understanding of its realities and hold valuable perspectives about how to tackle it.
The committee meets 1-2x a month, on Fridays from 1:00PM to 2:30PM. Meetings are held online via zoom.
Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless
Continuum of Care NY 518
Lived Experience Workgroup Candidate Interest Form
The Lived Experience Work Group is an assembly of people who are currently experiencing homelessness and/or have previously experienced homelessness in their lifetime. This committee of the Continuum of Care (CoC) is intended to ensure that the voices and perspectives of individuals with current and/or past lived experience of homelessness are heard and considered in the decision-making process of the CoC Board. The committee will provide a way to share recommendations and feedback on the CoC and its programs and services.
To submit your application or if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kimberly Wilson at shelter@johnsonparkcenter.org. Thank you for your interest!
MEET THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
DAVID INGROW
Due to circumstances in life, I ended up homeless in Oneida County in 2018. I ended up at the Utica Rescue Mission for several months. While there I got enrolled in what is now Helio Health's Shelter Plus Care subsidy program. With their help I found an apartment and have maintained the residence for almost six years. Taking advantage of the rental assistance and flexibility to not have to work full time, I have since graduated with my associate degree in culinary management. I am currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Human Resource Management. I volunteer with the Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless Coalition in efforts to help give back to the community.
Kimberly Wilson
I came from a broken home, most of my family were drug and alcohol dependent. I was placed into the foster care system from the age of 12-16, I was taken from that place because of sexual abuse. I was homeless and began staying place to place.
I started using drugs after I had my 1st child at the age of 27, I did drugs and was homeless on and off for 20 yrs. In 2009 I was willing to do whatever it took to change my life. I am now 15 years clean, and I’m the shelter manager of the shelter I once lived in (JPC), and a first-time homeowner. I hope to help improve the effectiveness of the homeless response system by reducing the length of stay in homelessness by providing services adequate services to move people rapidly. In addition, defuse negative attitudes and bias against people experiencing homelessness.
Abdul Vohid
I was not that guy you see in this picture 15 to 20 years ago. I was / am an addict with mental health issues ranging from trauma to sexual abuse and everything in between. I was a lost soul not wanting to deal with my issues. I just wanted to medicate myself (drugs) and go to sleep and never wake up, because of the pain I was in. When I was living in the darkest time there wasn’t much out there for me (Agencies) able to help and the thing was I didn’t want the help. I was in and out of prison, treatment centers, hospitals , etc .
The seed was planted in me many years ago while I was in early recovery and that seed was “GOD”. It wasn’t until I did my last bid of 10 years in DOCCS. (I didn’t know how I was going to be able to it).
Every day I asked God to get me through the day which he did, and that’s when God went from my mind to heart. I was known by 13B2328 – Din #, I didn’t have a name . Upon getting released again from prison. I went to the Rescue Mission - Emergency Shelter. The love and compassion they showed me blew me away. My stay there was a very positive experience and it carried over to my everyday life.
I’d just like to let people know the homelessness / addiction / M.H. doesn’t discriminate -- I’m college educated come from a middle class family. (God had a different plan for me) . Today I am 14 years sober and currently the Coordinator of the Emergency Shelter of the Rescue Mission. I know and understand the obstacles, dead ends, and empty promises that a person goes through while being homeless. I am very vigilant, compassionate, empathetic about what I do. I’m a Voice for the Voiceless, my name is Abdul, and all the glory goes to God for saving a wretch like me!!
Trudy Fox