Message From The Director ~
Kendy Skidmore
Many
people still seem unaware of the populations that the Coalition is able
to serve and I am always surprised to hear people say that they didn’t
know there was a shelter in Bennington or that they
didn’t know that we could serve individuals.
The program at Bank Street
in North Bennington is designed to
serve primarily families, however, if space allows, we will shelter
individuals at 6 Bank Street and they receive the same
services that families do. Thatcher House is only for singles or
couples and
McCall Street
can house both families and singles. We have seen an increased
number of single disabled people needing shelter and transitional
housing this year. This population is particularly strapped as
they do not have the second income that families have the potential to
have and their income is limited. This makes it extremely
difficult to find housing for them as rents and heating costs often
exceed their income and waiting lists for subsidized housing and section
8 is very long. The local Housing Now Initiative continues to work
together to come up with a possible solution to the homeless issues in
Bennington County but also continue to come up against walls without
resources available to increase shelter space and staffing.
Together with the Housing Now participants, we will continue to strive
to serve
Bennington County’s
homeless and assist with their shelter needs as we brace for the coming
winter which we expect will create crisis for many many more families
and individuals and no doubt require more space and services from us.
If you or a group that you know of, would like more information about
the Coalition, how you might help or be involved or would like more
information about the homeless issue in Bennington County, please feel
free to contact me at the Thatcher House and I would be happy to
schedule a presentation at your workplace, your church or your civic
group.
As always, we thank our supporters, donors and
grantors for making it possible for us to provide shelter and services
to Bennington’s homeless.
THINGS
YOU CAN DO TO END
HOMELESSNESS
PREVENTION- Stop homelessness before it happens. Support budget
counseling and rental assistance programs.
DISCHARGE PLANNING-
Work with hospitals and jails to make housing options part of the
discussion.
TOLERANCE- work with the community to understand and develop
attitudes of tolerance and second chances.
LOBBY-
Lobby for livable wages, Smart Growth housing and the rights of those in
the margin.
VOLUNTEER- Bring your skills to the community.
EDUCATE-
Educate yourself and your friends and family.
