SAN JOSE, CA – Motivational coach David Barron will soon be working with the homeless at various InnVision shelters, leading group and individual sessions that will deal with personal performance issues; "providing basic beliefs, attitudes and skills that anyone can learn to grow more successful."

"I truly believe that this is an important resource and will be filling a gap in our continuum of care. David Barron is a sensitive and highly skilled individual in the area of helping people change negative patterns in their lives," says Christine Burroughs, Executive Director of InnVision. It is Burroughs’ idea to include personal motivation among the many resources InnVision offers to help clients make the transition out of homelessness.

"Many of our clients suffer from depression, low self-esteem, and a history of negative life experiences. They are unable to envision ‘the good life’ for themselves. InnVision’s programs provide the physical tools people can use to rebuild their lives: training, shelter, career clothing, voice mail. We hope that by adding the strengths of motivation and positive thinking, they will develop the courage to pick up those tools and to use them for change."

The first session took place on Tuesday, 2/15/00 at InnVision’s rotating shelter program, Community Inns. Says one participant "he gave us some good ideas—like setting up an alarm system in your mind, so you know when you are about to make a bad decision."

The sessions will be conducted at five of InnVision’s eleven locations. Barron will conduct 1-hr group sessions and will check in with staff to share any observations or identify clients that may benefit from a private session.

"This is a 6 month trial project, at the end of which we will evaluate the results - if positive, we will continue," says Burroughs. She will also seek private funding to support the program.

David Barron is a motivational coach and owner of Changeworks, a company dedicated to helping people make positive changes in behavioral patterns. He is the author of "Learning Patterns of Lucky

People, How to Get Your Great Good Fortune"; and a corporate consultant in the areas of stress management, sales training, and time management.

InnVision has been helping individuals and families make the transition out of homelessness since 1973. Last year, close to 8,000 individuals accessed services including shelter, meals, case management, computer labs, job search assistance, and transitional housing.

The next five sessions have been scheduled:
Members of the press are welcome to attend any session

All of these sessions will be open to current residents of InnVision’s programs. The session at Georgia Travis Center will be open to any woman who is homeless.

Anyone who would like more information about this series or InnVision’s other programs, should call InnVision’s main office at (408) 292-4286, or go to InnVision’s web site at www.innvision.org. For more information on David Barron, please call 885-1855.

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