By Allison Campbell/The Wichita Eagle
When Wichita rolled out its new ID program on June 30, Donna Castillo-Garcia and other advocates for the unhoused were some of the first in line, helping their clients obtain municipal ID cards
.Thursday, Castillo-Garcia was back at city hall helping another man get his ID so he could gain access to a food bank.
It’s slowly becoming a routine for the Grassroots Bridge Builders executive director as the city rolls out a new I-9 compliant ID card that community leaders like Castillo-Garcia hope will ease limitations for Wichitans who lack the standard documentation for a state-issued ID, especially those experiencing homelessness.
“It’s such a low barrier foot-in-the-door,” Castillo-Garcia said. “And if we can be successful with it and able to do things, then, you know, maybe later on we can do some of those state-level things where, you know, it helps our city out even better.”
The IDs, which are distributed from Wichita’s City Hall, display a person’s name, photo, address, date of birth and ID number, making it I-9 compliant. Documents that are I-9 compliant can be used to verify an individual’s identity for employment, apply for benefits, fill prescriptions or cash checks.
“(It helps) everyone, from those who need an ID to those who might accept it for a job application,” Tyler Schiffelbein, city communications manager, said.
Over the last seven business days, the city had printed 110 cards and received 175 applications. Schiffelbein said he thought that the city would have more than 200 applications by the end of the week.
“It’s been great. I don’t think anybody expected this many people to come in,” Schiffelbein said.
“The response has been amazing.” Although the ID can’t be used to procure other documents or forms of ID — like a state ID, drivers license, birth certificate or social security card — Castillo-Garcia said it’s a great model and is useful for everyone, not just the homeless.
“The big message underneath everything is that low-barrier access to people who need it the most,” Castillo-Garcia said. “And it’s not just homeless people that I’m seeing going and getting it. It’s all kinds of people, and they really benefit.”
The municipal ID program was approved by the city council in March. The plan originally said the IDs would be distributed at City Hall and the Multi Agency Center, now called Second Light. Currently, IDs are only available at City Hall while Second Light undergoes construction. Schiffelbein said Second Light should be equipped to distribute municipal ID’s in the fall. The secondary location, he said, will help increase access without the stress of going to City Hall.
“We do realize there is that fear of City Hall,” Schiffelbein said. “ … So yeah, we do want to make it as accessible as possible.”
Castillo-Garcia said it’s still too early to determine how useful the IDs will be in helping individuals without addresses or other documentation get jobs, but added it is a positive step in the right direction. She said it could even work well in other metropolitan areas, like Lawrence and Topeka.
“The system is really great. It’s a good model of how the system needs to be across the board with this low entry, especially if we’re talking in the context of homelessness,” Castillo-Garcia said. “We just need time to kind of work out how the details should go. But, maybe later, we can do some of the higher-level things and see it, you know, grow to get maybe your driver’s license or something.”
HOW TO GET A CITY OF WICHITA ID CARD
Wichita residents who are 14 years or older are eligible for a Wichita municipal ID card. The process can be completed by filling out an application in person at City Hall or online at wichita.gov/WichitaID. Then, applicants complete identification verification with city staff and required documentation at City Hall. Applicants must have an accepted government issued form of ID and a document that establishes Wichita residency. If they do not have a government issued ID, they can provide a photo, an alternative proof of identity (such as a library card, marriage license, expired state ID or tax return) and proof of Wichita residency. A full list of required documents can be found on the city’s website.
Finally, applicants have their photo taken before being issued their City of Wichita ID card. If given the veteran designation, card-holders can access city transit for free. Additionally, the municipal ID will be accepted at city facilities that require a proof of identity.
City of Wichita ID’s cannot be used to vote, drive or purchase alcohol or cigarettes. It also is not valid outside of Wichita city limits.
This article was republished here with the permission of: The Wichita Eagle