FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2000
For more information, contact: Barbara
Poppe (614) 221-9195
LUTHERAN SOCIAL
SERVICES
TO OPERATE NEW
MEN’S SHELTER
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Community Shelter Board (CSB)
today selected Lutheran Social Services to operate a proposed men’s
shelter on the near east side. As
the operator of Faith Mission, Lutheran Social Services has a successful
track record in managing homeless services in Franklin County.
CSB's trustees made the decision to accept the
recommendation of a citizen advisory committee. The volunteer committee evaluated the response to the shelter
board’s RFP seeking an operator.
CSB Executive Director Barbara Poppe said that
Lutheran Social Services’ management philosophy is a good fit with the new
direction the emergency shelter system is taking under the Rebuilding Lives
initiative. “Our goal is to
connect homeless men with employment and affordable housing, and Lutheran
Social Services shares that commitment to helping people return to the
community,” Poppe said.
Commenting after the trustees’ vote, CSB Chair
Steve Rish said "Lutheran Social Services is an excellent choice.
Lutheran Social Services will expand its partnerships with provider
agencies to meet the needs of shelter residents and be an active participant
in area organizations to maintain ongoing, positive community
relations."
CSB has put down a $30,000, non-refundable deposit on
the proposed shelter site, a vacant print shop located at 8th
Avenue and Corrugated Way. Columbus
City Council will soon consider a variance for the property, which is
currently in an industrial zone.
The Open Shelter declined to submit a proposal to
operate the new facility. Last
week, CSB invited residents to attend an open house at Friends of the
Homeless to demonstrate that shelters can be good neighbors and not generate
the community opposition experienced in Franklinton.
As a condition of running the new shelter, Lutheran
Social Services will be required to implement a Good Neighbor Agreement.
The agreement will “ensure that the rights and responsibilities of
all parties are understood and respected,” Rish said.
“The goal of clean, safe, permanent and affordable
housing is a community responsibility we all share,” he said.
The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is
a non-profit intermediary organization which 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 $6.0 million annually to
support programs at 13 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
Franklin County, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Sate of Ohio, and other public and private donors.
Lutheran Social Services was organized May 23, 1912
as the Lutheran Inner Mission League and was incorporated on November 24,
1914. On October 18, 1945 the
League became inter-synodical and changed its name to the Lutheran Welfare
League. In January 1970 the
League officially became known as Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio. Today, LSS continues to offer services to provide for the
basic needs of all people. Through
new and expanded programs, LSS reaches 36 counties in central and southeast
Ohio with select services offered statewide.
By fulfilling their vision that respect, compassion and love overcome
hatred, fear and loneliness, they strive to create a better world by serving
people in need.
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