Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A local southwest Baltimore City homeless organization is gearing up for a fundraiser to assist HIV positive women and all females who need special products during their menstrual cycle.
Project PLASE, People Lacking Ample Shelter and Employment is a nonprofit organization that has been around 45 years raising awareness and funds for homeless individuals. The latest effort is the Homeless Period Campaign fundraiser, which originated from The Why Women Cry Conference slated for April 22.
Jordan Borkosi, director of communications, said the idea developed when Project PLASE researched, read numerous articles, and watched videos of women juggling homelessness during their periods.
“It was very upsetting, so we created menstrual hygiene kits to give out at the conference and to support the woman at the shelter because they don’t have the funds to buy products,” Borkosi said, explaining that women often use newspapers, paper towels, or rolled up pads and other methods for their menstrual cycle.
Borkosi stressed that Project PLASE is always looking to help people in the community who are homeless or about to lose their housing. The mission is driven by statistics that show an average of 4,000 veterans, families and individuals are homeless “on any given night in Baltimore City.” The nonprofit organization renovated and bought St. Bernadine’s Roman Catholic School on Frederick Road. The facility provides apartment-style housing for about 450 individuals.
“I was a recovering addict who was homeless, and Project PLASE was there to put me on my feet,” said Carlton Gross, a peer advocate for the group after years of living at the shelter.
“PLASE helped me live in a single-bedroom style apartment that had a kitchen, washer and dryer, and it helped me so much because I could invite my grandkids over and that support meant a lot,” Gross said.
Project PLASE serves a diverse range of people suffering from long-term homelessness, mental or physical illnesses, AIDS, developmental disabilities, substance abuse or have a history of incarceration. Veteran services also are offered. About 40 percent of the households helped by PLASE were to prevent homelessness and help residents keep their homes, officials said.
“We’re a homeless housing organization that offer housing for individuals and families,” said PLASE Executive Director Mary Silcher, “and we provide services from medical professionals to help our clients and get them off the streets.”
Two out of the four programs are for homeless veterans whether they are males, females, or families, officials said. The first program offered was “Celebration Housing,” which was intended for chronically homeless veterans who needed permanent housing. The second program was “Support Services to Veteran Families” to provide financial assistance to help veterans and their families who could not afford housing and needed life skills training through case management, and financial assistance.
An estimated 130 individuals and families in Baltimore City work with PLASE landlord partners. Officials said the organization pays a portion of clients’ rent and eight case managers are on hand to support families and individuals and help maintain their housing.
“Any support from the community, volunteers, and staff people can help change the lives of people who are homeless,” said Silcher. “I’m very lucky to be doing this work because most of the people we’ve helped have become students, moved out of homelessness, and became good citizens.”
Borkosi’s job includes spreading the word about donations and the needs of the organization’s clients. Just letting people know they exist in Baltimore has been a challenge, he said. PLASE is supported by grants and donations of clothes, food and money from the community.
Plans also are in the works for a Jazz concert, an Art Gallery event, and a Gala that will take place in February 2020, Borkosi said.
With the Homeless Period Campaign, officials said people are asked to make a donation of any size, take a picture with a tampon or any menstrual product. Supporters also are asked to challenge someone, and then upload social media posts to keep the challenge going.
“I love that PLASE is doing this because not many communities are spreading the word,” said India Johnson, another peer advocate. “We’re providing food, clothes, and different essentials, and being 32-years-old now it’s satisfying knowing we can still do this for our community.”
Borkosi added, “Volunteering or participating in the campaigns can make an impact and we want people to help and make an impact.”