In Missouri 26,100 people experience homelessness each day. (Missouri Association for Social Welfare 2001 census) On any given night in Jasper and Newton counties 300 to 500 individuals and families can be found living in shelters, cars, motels or on the streets. (The Homeless Coalition 2005 Street and Shelter Count) According to Homes for the Homeless: The institiute for Children and Poverty, families and children are the fastest growing homeless population.

The issue of hunger in America is equally concerning. 36.3 million American people live in households that experience hunger. This means that one in ten households in the United States is hungry. (USDA, Economic Research Service, 2003) 13 million children in the U.S. go to bed hungry. (Bread for the World, 2004) The U.S. Administration on Aging estimates that 1 out of 4 seniors in the U.S. has an inadequate diet.

In response to these alarming statistics, ESC and The Homeless Coalition, raised awareness in our community by hosting a Homeless and Hunger Awareness Rally on Saturday, November 18th. The event served as a finale to activities in our community honoring National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week. Thirty people attended the rally and advocated for our homeless and hungry clients, many of whom were living on the streets in the 35 degree weather that day. During the event, the group was approached by three homeless people. One of them stayed to hold up signs at the rally and the other two received information and referrals for assistance.

The group also had a great response from the community that day. They received one cash donation and some canned food items during the rally. It made a noticable impact on others who waved at everyone, honked and lip read the signs as they drove by.

The event was covered by many local media outlets throughout the week and ESC would like to thank them for their support. Media who highlighted the event included KOAM, KODE-TV's Morning Show, MSSU-TV, 95.1 Radio, JoplinDaily.com and Zimmer Radio.

Transitional Housing

ESC’s Transitional Housing program started in 1989 with a single 3-bedroom family dwelling in Newton County, Neosho, MO.

In 1991, the program was expanded to Ridgeway Apartments in Joplin, a 12 unit apartment facility that had 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units. Last year, we established a partnership with developer Carlson-Gardner, Inc. to completely renovate the building through a low- income affordable housing project. Once completed, 4 apartment units will be reassigned to the Transitional Housing program, which is funded in large part by HUD.

Since vacating the apartment building for the renovations, participants of the program have been relocated to other apartments and duplexes throughout the Joplin area.

The Transitional Housing program assists homeless families with children in working toward becoming self- sufficient. All participants are required to work full- time or attend a school of higher education. They must have or be working towards a high school diploma or GED. Case managers also work closely with other agencies and organizations to try and meet the needs of the families as they go through the program. Permanent housing placement assistance is generally offered upon completion of the program.

The Community Development division is now seeking and accepting donations to improve the living situations of the families in the program. They are in need of household goods such as furniture, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food, bathroom and kitchen items. The program also accepts monetary and service donations which are used to provide resources that we would otherwise need to purchase.

McDonald County Food Pantry

ESC's McDonald County Food Pantry program is also requesting donations of non-perishable food items. The program helps provide food to low-income individuals and families in McDonald County. The program serves approximately 400 residents per year. Low-income individuals who might benefit from the program are encouraged to visit ESC's Anderson office.

If you would like to make a donation to either of these programs, please contact a member of the Community Development Division.

Stan Heater, ESC’s Director of Program Planning, submitted 2 private foundation grants in November on behalf of the Community Development Division's Wheel's For Workers Program. Wes Barbee, Community Development Specialist, was instrumental in locating and helping with the preparation of these grants. Awarded grants will be used to fund repairs and new vehicle purchases for ESC's Wheel's For Workers Program.

The first grant applied for was in the amount of $4,000 from the U.S. Bancorp Trust. This corporate trust gives money for local initiatives in the areas of Economic Opportunity, Education, Cultural & Artistic Enrichment and United Way. The grant application was recently approved and Clifford Wert, US Bank Regional President, presented the check to Wes during a special ceremony on December 21, 2006. The funds will be used in 2007 to help repair vehicles in the Wheels for Workers program inventory.

The second grant we have applied for is a grant to the Freeman R. Johnson Foundation in the amount of $2,000. We should know within the next month whether our application for the funds has been selected. Much like the U.S. Bancorp Trust, these funds would be used to repair the vehicles currently in the Wheels for Workers program inventory. The Wheels program currently has 13 cars waiting for repairs before they can be placed with low-income families in need of transportation. If awarded the grant funds, they would be budgeted and spent during 2007.

As we continue to see cuts in Federal and State supported programs, private foundations will become a more important source of funding. If you have information regarding a corporate or private foundation grant opportunity you are encouraged to contact Stan Heater at 781-0352 ext. 213.

McDonald County's new Salvation Army began its fundraising efforts this year by ringing bells for donations this past holiday season. The organization accepted donations at the Pineville/Jane Walmart on December 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th and 16th. All proceeds they raised will be utilized within the county to meet local needs.

The McDonald County location is currently in the beginning stages of formation. Although they have no physical location at this point, the group is organized as a resource coordinated by Marcia Denny, a Community Development Specialist at Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area. Those wishing to be involved in the organization, are encouraged to contact Ms. Denny at 417-845-6011.

The Salvation Army was founded with the basic social services principles of taking care of the physical and emotional needs of the hungry and homeless. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, AIDS education and residential services, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services, and substance abuse rehabilitation.

Is there anything interesting going on in your department that you would like to share with our staff, board members and supporters? To have your information included in an upcoming issue of News from ESC, please contact Andrea Osiek at aosiek@escswa.org.