FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   Contact:          Barbara Poppe

June 10, 2002                                                                            Community Shelter Board

                                                                                                (614) 221-9195

 

 

Residents honored as Heroes by the Community Shelter Board

 

Columbus--“Heroes at Home” was the theme of the Community Shelter Board’s (CSB) luncheon event to recognize six outstanding individuals for their efforts on behalf of the homeless community in Columbus.  More than 120 people gathered to honor the CSB Heroes at the luncheon held at the King Arts Complex.  Columbus City Council Member Kevin Boyce delivered the keynote address.

 

Presented annually, the CSB Hero Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to ending homelessness.  The six individuals honored as heroes by CSB for 2002 are:  Westerville resident, John Bolden, Volunteers of America; East Columbus resident, Chynia Dickerson, Maryhaven; Worthington resident, Eileen Kirsch, Homeless Families Foundation; Southwest Columbus resident Harold Martin, Take It to the Streets; Gahanna resident, Anthony Penn, Community Housing Network; and Reynoldsburg resident, Tony Williams, Faith Mission.

 

Also during the luncheon, partner agencies who have achieved Community Shelter Board certification for 2002 were recognized.  Agencies receiving 2002 Shelter and/or Program Certification are:  Catholic Social Services, Community Housing Network, Faith Mission, Friends of the Homeless, Gladden Community House, Homeless Families Foundation Jewish Family Services, Lutheran Social Services, Maryhaven, Salvation Army, Southeast, Inc., Volunteers of American, YMCA of Central Ohio and YWCA of Columbus.

 

Shelter and Program Certification is a requirement in order to receive funding from the Community Shelter Board. The goal of the certification process is to ensure that clients receive the best possible service in a healthy and safe environment.

 

Shelter and Program Certification is an annual process that monitors a program’s compliance with standards for organizational structure and management; compliance with federal, state and local operations laws; building, equipment and environmental standards; safety and security; staffing and personnel policies; fiscal management; community relations and administration. A Good Neighbor Agreement is required.

 

The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration, and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve their housing crisis.  The Community Shelter Board allocates $7.0 million annually to support programs at 15 agencies.  Last year, these programs served more than 11,000 individuals.  The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.

 

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