CCS Addresses Homelessness With Planned Facility
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Combined Community Services received a zoning variance July 22 to create a group transitional home on Center Street.
"It's not a done deal, though," said Jim Coons, director of the charity. "People have been calling us and asking when people are going to move in and how they can help. All we have so far is the variance."
And a dream to provide a place for homeless families to get back on their feet.
CCS has applied for an Indiana Housing Finance Authority grant to purchase the vacant Extendacare Nursing Home building at 2404 E. Prairie St., in Warsaw.
If approved, the state grant will bring in $400,000. Awards will be announced Sept. 26.
Applications have been registered with local foundations, too.
Coons said the buyers are anxious to sell, although the CCS board has not yet voted to buy the building. The board will meet Aug. 15.
If all goes well, the shelter can be ready for occupancy by Nov. 1.
"We expect families to stay there from three to nine months while the entire family participates in a variety of programs offered by CCS," said Peggi Lisenbee, a CCS assistant.
She said a woman came in last week whose husband just lost his job, she'd been diagnosed with cancer and no one would take in their children.
"We had to send them to Fort Wayne," Lisenbee said. "There is nowhere to go if you have children."
Coons said Kosciusko County is a great exporter of homeless people; they're sent to South Bend or Fort Wayne because there are no places for them here.
"Homelessness is defined as not having control over the roof over my head," Lisenbee said. That could include adults with children living with the adults' parents.
Although county residents aren't plagued with the sight of people pushing shopping carts with all their worldly possessions down the alley, looking for a place to sleep, Coons said, the homeless are out there. They just stay hidden.
"There is no place to go if you have children. If you're living in a van and are discovered, your children may be taken from you," Lisenbee said.
"People who are homeless due to loss of employment, unforeseen disaster or loss of a significant other are the clients this program will best serve," Darlene Ridinger, CCS director of development, said.
Family members will be carefully screened. Domestic violence situations will be referred to the Beaman Home. No single people will be admitted.
"Violence will not be tolerated," Lisenbee said.
Each adult will be screened for a criminal history. No known sex offenders or those with a history of violent crimes will be admitted.
In addition to 18 resident rooms, there will be a community living room, dining room, child care and shared outdoor area. Everyone will be asked to share in housekeeping responsibilities and pay rent.
The safety of the residents and security is of utmost importance. Staff and residents will be admitted only with a key card; all others must be expected.
Managing the property is a big step for the faith-based charity, but it's a step they feel they have to take, to, once again, meet a need in the community. [[In-content Ad]]
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Combined Community Services received a zoning variance July 22 to create a group transitional home on Center Street.
"It's not a done deal, though," said Jim Coons, director of the charity. "People have been calling us and asking when people are going to move in and how they can help. All we have so far is the variance."
And a dream to provide a place for homeless families to get back on their feet.
CCS has applied for an Indiana Housing Finance Authority grant to purchase the vacant Extendacare Nursing Home building at 2404 E. Prairie St., in Warsaw.
If approved, the state grant will bring in $400,000. Awards will be announced Sept. 26.
Applications have been registered with local foundations, too.
Coons said the buyers are anxious to sell, although the CCS board has not yet voted to buy the building. The board will meet Aug. 15.
If all goes well, the shelter can be ready for occupancy by Nov. 1.
"We expect families to stay there from three to nine months while the entire family participates in a variety of programs offered by CCS," said Peggi Lisenbee, a CCS assistant.
She said a woman came in last week whose husband just lost his job, she'd been diagnosed with cancer and no one would take in their children.
"We had to send them to Fort Wayne," Lisenbee said. "There is nowhere to go if you have children."
Coons said Kosciusko County is a great exporter of homeless people; they're sent to South Bend or Fort Wayne because there are no places for them here.
"Homelessness is defined as not having control over the roof over my head," Lisenbee said. That could include adults with children living with the adults' parents.
Although county residents aren't plagued with the sight of people pushing shopping carts with all their worldly possessions down the alley, looking for a place to sleep, Coons said, the homeless are out there. They just stay hidden.
"There is no place to go if you have children. If you're living in a van and are discovered, your children may be taken from you," Lisenbee said.
"People who are homeless due to loss of employment, unforeseen disaster or loss of a significant other are the clients this program will best serve," Darlene Ridinger, CCS director of development, said.
Family members will be carefully screened. Domestic violence situations will be referred to the Beaman Home. No single people will be admitted.
"Violence will not be tolerated," Lisenbee said.
Each adult will be screened for a criminal history. No known sex offenders or those with a history of violent crimes will be admitted.
In addition to 18 resident rooms, there will be a community living room, dining room, child care and shared outdoor area. Everyone will be asked to share in housekeeping responsibilities and pay rent.
The safety of the residents and security is of utmost importance. Staff and residents will be admitted only with a key card; all others must be expected.
Managing the property is a big step for the faith-based charity, but it's a step they feel they have to take, to, once again, meet a need in the community. [[In-content Ad]]