A soon-to-be homeless shelter in Corryville will focus its efforts on serving vulnerable, homeless young adults in Cincinnati.
The Lighthouse on Highland homeless shelter, located at 2522 Highland Avenue and part of the
Lighthouse Youth Services
organization, was conceived as part of the city of Cincinnati's plan to
move individuals out of homelessness, increase permanent housing and
target homeless services specifically to the individual's age, says
Tamara Sullivan, media director for Lighthouse Youth Services.
"This initiative grew out of the recommendation made by the Homeless to
Homes Steering Committee to have Lighthouse expand current services
offered to the 18 – 24 year-old homeless population as part of the
city's comprehensive homeless plan," Sullivan says.
The facility will offer a 28-bed shelter to homeless young adults on the
second floor and will relocate Lighthouse's existing day program, known
as Anthony House, to the first floor of the building, says Geoff
Hollenbach, director of Lighthouse's Runaway and Homeless Youth
Division.
The impetus behind the new shelter is to treat the unique needs of
homeless young adults, many of whom are vulnerable in part because they
are experiencing homelessness for the first time, Hollenbach says.
Bob Mecum, president and CEO of Lighthouse Youth Services, echoes Hollenbach.
"We know that youth who age out of the foster care system are at a much
higher risk of becoming homeless, so this new shelter will target a
population of young people we know are in need of this type of community
resource," Mecum says.
The shelter, on target to open this fall, will serve 40 to 60 homeless youths per day.
Do Good:
•
Walk the walk.
Register for the 2.4 mile walk to raise funds for items such as shoes,
socks or bus tokens for the homeless. Call Lindsay Schoeni,
513-487-7151, to register.
•
Volunteer your business for a group community service project with Lighthouse.
•
Volunteer your time
by tutoring a youth in math or reading, or be a general office
assistant. Volunteer schedules are flexible to fit your lifestyle.
By James Sprague
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