Our Place Peers Collaborate for a Downtown Cleanup
Late morning marked the beginning of our community cleanups, and despite the heat, the atmosphere remained positive. The effort kicked off at Cruise Park, moved behind God’s Love, and concluded at the tunnel near Anchor Park.
This event was a remarkable display of camaraderie and interdepartmental cooperation. Leading the charge were Jacqueline, Our Place Program Manager, and Mikayla, Peer Support Specialist from Our Place, who kept everything running smoothly. Alongside our dedicated staff were numerous volunteers, many of whom are Our Place Peers and have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness. In fact, the idea for Our Place’s participation in the cleanups came from these Peers!
The cleanup crew also included members of the Helena Police Department (HPD) and the Parks Department, with the latter providing trucks for trash removal. Both HPD and Parks Department staff worked alongside the volunteers. hese cleanups are not about displacing people but about making parks and public areas clean and safe for everyone, including our unhoused neighbors. We do not discard personal belongings—only trash. In fact, the tunnel cleanup had started well before our arrival, with the temporary residents leading by example!
For years, the Parks Department has been organizing these cleanups. Pat from the Parks Department mentioned that in the last 4-5 years, the number of people trying to set up more permanent residences in the parks has skyrocketed. With the addition of the Our Place team, we can help address this issue by connecting people with resources to get off the streets and into supportive environments.
Throughout the morning, Mikayla and Jacqueline frequently reminded people to collect their mail from Our Place—an essential service for those without a permanent address and encouraged folks to head down to Our Place for food and more. They knew everyone by name, as did the HPD and Parks Department staff, and provided compassionate support during the cleanup. They balanced firm instructions, like “Yes, you have to clean this up,” with genuine concern, asking, “How are you doing?” and “What do you need?”
This event was a kind and collaborative effort from all parties involved. While there were a few dissenting voices, the gratitude from those helped far outweighed the negativity. We recognize that there is no perfect solution to this complex issue. People deserve a safe place to sleep, and everyone deserves clean parks to enjoy—whether they are housed or not. We are committed to expanding our reach and programs to connect those in need with the help they require.
We extend a special thank you to the Our Place Peers who volunteered—Brandon, Stuart, William, and Jay (some preferred to remain unnamed)—as well as the staff at Our Place, the Helena Police Department, the Parks Department, and the Sanitation Department. This is the third cleanup Our Place Peers have participated in, and these events have become a huge part of their recovery group, giving them a sense of purpose and vital community connection.
We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Judge Peterson for providing a reduction in fines to those who participated in the cleanup.
If you have questions about these cleanups, how to get involved with our Ministries, or have a suggestion of a place to clean up please feel free to reach out at: [email protected]
Cashier
Hours: 40 hrs/wk
Good Samaritan Ministries, motivated by faith-based teaching, works in our community to advance family life, human dignity, and the common good. We provide services to meet the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals and families of all faiths, especially those most in need. Good Samaritan Thrift Store acts as an integral part of Good Samaritan Ministries mission to offer the programs and services to advance human dignity, respect and support.
Essential Functions: Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to the following:
- Operates cash registers, cash transactions, credit cards, personal check sales, as well as voucher transactions
- Ensures Check Rite machine is used on all check transactions
- Acts as the first point of contact by greeting and assisting customers, treating all with dignity and respect
- Responsible when a “Back-Up’ cashier is called that you respond and cover for the time period needed.
- Answers incoming calls when the Receptionist is not available
- Responsible for managing the flow of the front counter and cash register
- May be required to tidy up the dressing rooms
- Ability to stay busy, take initiative and perform any duties necessary for the benefit
- Stocked for daily sales, especially during ½ price sale
- Responsible for keeping assigned cashier areas clean and orderly, while keeping displays pleasing to the customer’s eye.
- Assists with “pull-downs” at the end of the month or as directed.
- Puts away processed and priced merchandise to the correct departments as time allows
- Adheres to all building safety requirements, as well as follows procedure when an incident, accident, or injury has occurred.
- Adheres to all store lifting policies and weight restrictions
- In the event, a co-worker is out, potentially be willing to cover for staff and/or area
- Greets and assists customers, treating all with respect and dignity
- Interacts and communicates professionally and effectively while maintaining open communication with supervisors, other team members, customers, and clients.
- Functions as a team member for the success of the Good Samaritan Store
- Learns New Tasks
- Follows Directions and Policies
- Attends all meetings and training as required
- Other duties as assigned
- Valid MT Driver’s License, or valid MT Identification Card, and social security card for hiring purposes and dependent upon position.
Benefits include full medical, dental, vision, 401(k), employer monthly contribution to health savings account. Please contact Human Resources Coordinator for details.
Dock Production Assistant
Salary: $13/hr
Hours: 40/wk
Good Samaritan Ministries, motivated by faith-based teaching, works in our community to advance family life, human dignity, and the common good. We provide services to meet the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals and families of all faiths, especially those most in need. Good Samaritan Thrift Store acts as an integral part of Good Samaritan Ministries mission to offer the programs and services to advance human dignity, respect, and support.
The Dock Production Assistant is responsible for accepting incoming donations as well as sorting and preparing donations for store sales and under very stressful conditions.
Essential Functions: Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to the following:
- Works on dock accepting incoming donation items and sorts according to the various departments.
- Works on dock refusing incoming donation items that are ripped, stained, torn, or broken.
- Moves lift furniture items, and assists customers with loading purchased merchandise
- Responsible for keeping the dock warehouse clean, orderly, and safe during the scheduled shifts.
- Provides customers with donation receipts
- Responsible for ensuring a safe sales floor environment for co-workers and customers
- Informs supervisor about any repairs or supplies needed
- Adheres to all building safety requirements, as well as follows procedure when an incident, accident or injury has occurred.
- Adheres to all store lifting policies and weight restrictions
- In the event, a co-worker is out, potentially be willing to cover for the dock area
- Greets and assists customers, clients, and donors, treating all with respect and dignity
- Maintains floors, sweeping, washing on the dock area
- Breaks down cardboard boxes for recycling
- Interacts and communicates professionally and effectively while maintaining open communication with supervisors, other team members, customers, and clients.
- Learns New Tasks
- Follows Directions and Policies
- Attends all meetings and trainings as required
- Other duties as assigned
- Frequent Lifting, carrying and transporting of objects weighing up to 125lbs or above.
- Mobility within the facility and the ability to occasionally drive, load, and unload the delivery truck
Benefits: Full Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account and 401 (k)!
Dock Production Supervisor
Hours: 40/wk
Pay: DOE
Essential Functions: (in coordination with the Executive Director)
- Coordinate movement of merchandise from the storage areas in the ware house to the point of sale
- Monitor and assist loading and unloading of merchandise
- Manage documentation associated with shipping processes
- Document all actions by handling logs and records and managing information on forms
- Work with the Bookkeeper and Executive Director when needed to purchase equipment and supplies that are needed for the departments and/or store
- Compile work orders and ensure appropriate compliance
- Direct the work of warehouse personnel and oversee all associated activities
- Evaluate staff performance and manage employee evaluations
- Assume warehouse operations responsibility
- Investigate and report warehouse operational discrepancies
- Oversee safe operation and maintenance of forklifts and other equipment
- Oversees and maintains courteous, high quality customer service toward customers, clients.
- Addresses complaints in a prompt and effective timeframe with follow-up and results for the customer and the store for a positive outcome.
- Works with Store Manager to over day-to-day store operations and acts accordingly within strategic plans.
- Ensures all safety guidelines are followed according to GSM (policies and procedures), Diocese of Helena, Helena Fire Department Fire Codes Department of Labor, facilitates safety evaluations, quarterly reports ensures inspections are completed, hazardous or areas of concern are being followed up on, creates agenda for quarterly meetings, follow up on incidents.
- Knows emergency procedures and trains employees in procedures such as fire drills, a store robbery, etc.
- Oversees the clean up of parking area and outside grounds and works with the team.
- Inspects or delegates inspection of interior and exterior of Thrift Store property daily to ensure cleanliness; maintains readiness for operations and availability/safety of equipment and supplies.
- Participates in hiring, disciplinary actions and termination processes with Human Resources and Executive Director. Keeps adequate documentation as needed.
- Provides regular coaching for employees with training and evaluations while working with the Human Resource Manager.
- Researches and solicits new sources of quality donations for the store, recycling opportunities, determines ability of recycling numbers from the store.
- Meets periodically with the Management Team and Executive Director to set quarterly and annual goals.
- Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Acts as Safety Facilitator and ensures OSHA and safety compliance
Please complete and submit application and supporting documents to Samantha Jensen, Human Resources Manager.
Greater Helena Gives: Ensure Our Place Stays a Beacon of Hope
This Greater Helena Gives Day, we urge you to consider supporting Our Place —a vital resource in our community for individuals who are experiencing houselessness or are in need of immediate support.
At Our Place, we operate on the principle that kindness, dignity, and respect are fundamental to helping individuals create a stable, violence-free environment for themselves and their families. It’s not just a place; it’s a community where people can come together to find solace, support, and the resources necessary to improve their lives.
Services Provided at Our Place:
- Personal outreach and engagement
- Peer recovery and mental health services
- Socialization opportunities and community group activities
- Crisis mitigation and quality of life improvements
- Essential aid including housing, transportation, job application support, and more
Since taking management in December 2019, Good Samaritan Ministries has significantly expanded the capabilities of Our Place. We now serve an average of 1,100 people per month—a doubling of our outreach—while increasing the services we offer by 85%.
Your Support Is Crucial:
As we continue to grow and serve more individuals in need, the importance of community support becomes ever clearer. Your donations help sustain and expand our services, ensuring that everyone who comes through our doors finds the help they need to stabilize and succeed.
This #GreaterHelenaGives, please consider making a donation to Good Samaritan Ministries. Your contribution will directly support our efforts to empower individuals, foster community, and provide critical services that can change lives.
Together, we can make a significant impact and ensure that no one in our community has to face their challenges alone.
To donate follow this link:
https://www.greaterhelenagives.org/organizations/good-samaritan-thrift-store-and-ministries-helena
Why Should I Care? Homelessness in Helena, MT
Please watch the video from Vallerie Hellerman with Hands on Global and HCTV
Montana ranks near worst in multiple nationwide homelessness categories
The increases in Montana’s homeless population over the last few years are some of the largest jumps in the nation, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report.
Between 2007 — when the nationwide annual tracking began — and 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased in 25 states. Montana had the second-largest percentage increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness at 89% and the third-largest percentage increase from 2022 to 2023 at 45%.
“It’s not especially surprising,” said Sam Forstag, a manager with the Montana Coalition to Solve Homelessness. “Right now there’s a nationwide increase, but it sure makes sense that we’re leading the pack in most categories.”
Montana also led the pack in metrics on chronic homelessness, which refers to individuals who have frequent bouts of homelessness or have continuously been experiencing homelessness for over a year.
Between 2007 and 2023, Montana had the highest percentage increase in the number of individuals experiencing chronic patterns of homelessness at 551%. Montana was trailed by Rhode Island (334%), Idaho (275%), Maine (253%) and Washington (195%), according to the data.
Much of this data is based on a point-in-time survey, which is largely believed to be an imperfect tool to measure homelessness as it is prone to undercounting the number of people experiencing homelessness.
Still, those more recent numbers track with what providers are seeing on the ground in Montana.
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Montana’s seven major cities — Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula — increased from 2021 to 2022 according to data collected by the service providers in those communities.
Kalispell saw a particularly dramatic increase from 654 individuals in 2021 to 1,049 the following year.
Chris Krager, executive director of Samaritan House, a Kalispell-based service provider that includes a homeless shelter, said that “the trends we are seeing are very similar to what the (federal) data shows.”
Krager has been the director of Samaritan House for 23 years. It was around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained, that the facility started hitting its capacity on a year-round nightly basis. Depending on how many children are in the families who arrive, the capacity can range from roughly 95 to 105 people.
“It just doesn’t ease up,” Krager said.
Forstag contends that some of the major drivers behind Montana’s imploding homelessness numbers are the dearth of affordable housing and the lack of behavioral health services in the state. Forstag also said that shelter directors from across the state say funding for more case managers is one of their main priorities.
A bill that would have in part helped hire more case managers passed multiple floor votes, but eventually died in committee this past legislative session. That failed legislation would have established $2 million in matching grants for in-house substance use treatment and case management.
That said, advocates fighting homelessness did see some success during the past legislative session: Lawmakers allocated $5 million for emergency shelter facility acquisitions and upgrades as a part of the state’s major infrastructure bill.
“It was a Band-Aid and a Band-Aid we needed,” Forstag said of the one-time funds.
Adequate shelters in Montana are particularly crucial during the winter months, where temperatures can plummet far beyond 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the last few years, a number of deaths of homeless people have been linked to the frigid temperatures.
“In Montana’s weather, homelessness can be fatal,” Krager said.