Event aims to prevent homelessness

By Ryan Lewis
Staff Writer

David Jackson of Grand Junction sorts through clothing provided by God’s Closet with his great niece and nephew, Kailee and Johnathan. (Photo by Ryan Lewis)

PULLMAN—Helping to end homelessness in Allegan County is sometimes about helping people know where to turn for help. On Monday, Aug. 25, those facing hard times turned to Project Homeless Connect.

The second event of its kind in Allegan County, it invites the homeless as well as those on the verge of becoming homeless to visit with all of the agencies that are designed to help them.

Organized by Allegan County’s Continuum of Care, Project Homeless Connect set up shop at Pullman Elementary School.

At the entrance was a kind of triage, where applicants filled out surveys about their needs and basic information.

From there, they were paired with a volunteer, who helps them navigate to the various booths to find help. There were 35 such volunteers from all over the county and even neighboring counties, either working the sign-in desks or as the “runners.”

In the donation room, a sign is posted on the door; it says, “free stuff.” Inside, Project Hope of Dorr had brought in a table full of summer clothing to choose from. Also available from other organizations were new undergarments; Allegan Area Educational Service Agency students had also provided backpacks packed with school supplies; bags of toiletries are laid out on another table.

Outside, God’s Closet hauled in their trailer of clothing. Pastor Dale Sanders said the group brought 6,000 pounds of clothing for men, women and children.

Kitchen staff provided a free meal around lunchtime.

In the school gym, volunteers usher applicants from table to table. The whole county is represented there, from the Department of Human Services to Community Mental Health to non-profit charities such as Love In the Name of Christ and the Housing Resource Center.

Sitting down at the latter’s table, Laurie Kirkendoll of Hopkins said she needs help with the lot rent for the trailer she owns. Like many others, she’s fallen behind on her payments but is on good terms with her landlord.

Housing Resource Center family mentor coordinator Tara Wilkes said her organization provides help with first-month rent, evictions, mortgage payments, utility shutoffs and can provide one day’s worth of food as well as many referrals to other county organizations.

Wilkes explained to Kirkendoll that while the grant money they primarily distribute won’t apply in her case, she might qualify for several others.

Sheri Stora of Martin (left) and Kim Holubar of Allegan peruse the donation room at the second Project Homeless Connect Event. (Photo by Ryan Lewis)

Kirkendoll said, “I think this event is a good thing. It’s helpful and I’m finding out stuff I didn’t even know about.”

She said it helped that everything was in one spot because of the price of gasoline.

“Transportation is an issue,” she said. “I took Allegan County Transportation to get here.”

Sheri Stora of Martin echoed that sentiment.

“It helps out a lot to have all of the services in one area,” she said. “I see transportation problems a lot.”

Stora found out there was help for her, too.

“I was glad to find out that there actually is help out there for people who own their places,” she said. Like Kirkendoll, she turned to Housing Resource Center to possibly get some help to catch up on her mortgage.

Something new from the March event is the presence of a booth from the Allegan County Health Department.

Marilyn Weber worked the booth and hoped to sign up expectant mothers for care during their pregnancy.

“The goal is to get them to the doctor right away,” Weber said. “Everything is covered—prescriptions, lab work, ultrasounds.”

She also hoped to sign up special needs children for free health care. Most children will be covered until they are 21; those with hemophilia and cystic fibrosis may qualify for lifetime care.

“It’s given based on medical need, not financial need,” Weber said.

To find out more about the program, call Weber directly at the health department’s personal health section by calling (269) 673-5440.

Project Homeless Connect volunteer coordinator Melinda Werden said 65 individuals signed up for help at the event, up from 55 at the March event.

“And that doesn’t count those who just showed up for the meal and a backpack,” Werden said. “Nobody gets turned away.”

She said she believed the majority of those who showed up were at risk of being homeless.

“I think that means these projects are making a difference; we’re catching them before they go over the edge. It doesn’t take much to break the camel’s back when you’re at risk.”

She said the event went very well, with most respondents to the survey saying the services were excellent.

“The only thing they want more of is job information,” Werden said. “I’m hoping next time to bring in a temp agency to have that resource there.”

Another bright spot was the fact that parents left 29 children at the event’s childcare.

Werden said, “They were comfortable enough with us to leave them there. The kids got snacks and lunch and playtime. It makes it easier for the parents to go through the paperwork.”

Project Hope executive director Mary Barnes said she felt the event was invaluable to the area.

“I think it makes them aware of things. When you’re struggling, it seems like there are no choices,” Barnes said. “This gives them choices.”