On Time for Recovery is a project to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in their efforts for recovery. Although a timepiece is taken for granted by most of us, when you have no money or resources, receipt of a watch can make a huge difference for a homeless person. By using alarm watches, individuals can keep their appointments and stick to their schedules.

Did you know that there were about 664,414 homeless people in the U.S. in January 2008 (The 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, U.S. HUD)? Did you know that according to SAMHSA, “39% [of homeless people have] some form of mental health problem, and 20 to 25% meet criteria for serious mental illnesses” (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia)? An alarm watch makes it easier for individuals to keep their doctor’s appointments.

On Time for Recovery has a sister organization in Houston, Texas thanks to Tanuja Gupta.

Watch Over Me has a simple mission:  ensure that a person trying to exit or avoid homelessness never misses an opportunity to do so because of lost time or information.  Watches and journals are tools to track time, agency appointments, job interviews and contact information.  Our organization works with a coalition of social service agencies to supply and distribute wristwatches and appointment journals to the homeless.  Help us give the simple tools to track time ...so homelessness doesn’t last for a lifetime.

www.givewatches.org

2009 Annual Report (pdf)

2010 Annual Report (pdf)

On Time for Recovery, with help from the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, received the opportunity to appear on Channel 9 News on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The YouTube link below will take you to the video of the story.
On Time for Recovery on Channel 9 News



On Time for Recovery also appeared in several printed stories by 9 News' Chris Vanderveen: 9 News, coloradoan.com, Denver Post, (scanned image)

On Time for Recovery is currently dissolved, pending donations for continued operation. On Time for Recovery was incorporated as a Colorado nonprofit corporation on July 30, 2009. On September 21, 2009, the IRS granted tax exempt 501(c)(3) status to On Time for Recovery (see determination letter). All donations and contributions to On Time for Recovery are tax deductible beginning July 30, 2009.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on any single night in January 2008, there were 664,414 people without a residence in the United States (The 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress). Since homeless persons frequently lack the resources to purchase watches, a large percentage of homeless persons are without watches. On Time for Recovery estimates that 70% of homeless people are without watches. The need for watches nationwide is estimated to be 465,000 individuals, men, women and children. The National Alliance to End Homelessness provides maps of homelessness populations that help one visually grasp the magnitude of the problem. On Time for Recovery’s 2009 goal is to distribute 1,000 watches to Denver’s homeless population. According to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, there were 11,061 homeless persons in the seven-county Denver metropolitan area on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. The current need for watches in Denver is estimated to be 70% of 11,061, a total of 7,743 individuals.

+ Aids people in their recovery from homelessness

+ Helps people keep their appointments

+ Gives people the opportunity to be on time for work

+ Enables people to set reminders of when their appointments are

+ Makes people more independent (don’t have to ask what time it is)

+ Promotes self-sufficiency and self-esteem

+ Helps promote the importance of time and being on time

+ Donate money using PayPal for purchase of watches

+ $2 will buy a digital watch with an alarm and light

+ Donate any working watches

+ Donate watches that need batteries replaced

+ Set up a collection box at your location

On Time for Recovery partnered with China Suntime Industry in Putian and Value-Trans (freight) in Hong Kong to bring digital watches directly from the manufacturer to people experiencing homelessness in Colorado. Both China Suntime and Value-Trans were very supportive of helping homeless people in the United States. On March 21, 2011, On Time for Recovery received 1,200 digital watches from China Suntime. China Suntime charged $1.56 per watch, and with shipping, the total cost per watch was $1.84. The digital watches are waterproof, have the date, time, alarm and a light. On Time for Recovery will meet its goal of distribution of 1,000 watches in 2011.

On Time for Recovery partners with service providers in Denver for distribution of watches to those in need. Partnerships established since 2009 include St. Francis Center, Denver Rescue Mission, Samaritan House, Father Woody's Haven of Hope, the Women's Bean Project and the City of Denver's Project Homeless Connect. In addition to using our partners' facilities from which to distribute watches, we also go directly to the people on the street, standing at street corners, and provide them with watches.