Homeless Awareness Month
Last year at this time, Springfield was struggling with extremely cold weather and very long waiting lists at area homeless shelters. The Homeless Task Force was charged with coming up with answers and alternatives for our community. Say the word “homeless” and most conjure an image of an individual standing at an intersection holding a sign asking for help. Yes, that is homelessness, but there are also the working homeless, the family living in their car, the pregnant teen tossed out of her home, the mother and children running away from an abusive home life. These homeless carry no sign; they make every effort to blend in and go with the flow, to keep from standing out so no one will notice. They don’t want to wear the label, yet it’s what happens.
The Homeless Task Force--a dedicated and compassionate group of agencies, organizations and community volunteers and leaders--has been meeting since November of 2009. The One Door initiative created by the Homeless Task Force will help to guide individuals and families to immediate help. One Door will serve as the portal for those in need: (417) 225-7499. One Door is dedicated to making strides in solving this difficult problem.
Learn more about how to support homeless services by reviewing the following findings and reports:
Homeless in Springfield and Greene County (pdf)
Report of the Homeless Task Force
2009 Survey of Springfield’s High Risk and Homeless Youth (pdf)
The Homeless Youth Subcommittee of Community Partnership’s
Christian, Greene, and Webster Counties Continuum of Care
10 Year Plan to End Homelessness (pdf)
By The Community Partnership Continuum of Care
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