Emergency Shelter in Frankford Faces Potential Closure
A Community Resource in Jeopardy
In the heart of Frankfort, the Simon House emergency shelter for adults stands as a beacon of hope for the homeless. However, this long-standing community resource is now facing the imminent threat of closure. The shelter, which primarily serves men and women aged 18 and above, has become a victim of mounting financial strains and crippling staffing levels that threaten to shutter its doors forever.
More Than Just a Shelter
The Simon House is not just a place for the homeless to sleep; it constitutes a crucial part of the social fabric of the Frankfort community. Apart from providing meals and temporary accommodation, it also offers an array of social services aimed at reintegrating the community’s most vulnerable members.
Currently, the shelter operates on a 16-bed system that houses men and women from 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. Despite facing adverse circumstances, the shelter ensures that those who utilize its overnight services leave with a sack lunch when the facility temporarily closes during daytime hours.
Finding Solutions
The shelter’s unexpected closure announcement has sent shockwaves through the Frankfort community. According to Tasha Gray, the Administrative Community Service Manager at Simon House, it’s up to the board to find ways to safeguard the shelter’s future amidst these challenges.
While financial donations and voluntary contributions mark a significant portion of the shelter’s operating funds, the Simon house will require more to survive the ongoing crisis. The aid program, fueled by a combination of federal grants and community donations, must find new funding sources to continue the crucial work that it does in the community.
The Impact of Closure
Simon House’s importance extends beyond just being a homelessness intervention program. Rick Woods, Simon House’s former board chair and a one-time recipient of the shelter’s services, sums up the shelter’s impact, noting the joy and comfort that the shelter brings to those it serves.
The idea of the Simon House closure is saddening for many, as this would mean a loss of the only co-ed emergency housing facility for adults in the city of Frankfort. The closure of the shelter doesn’t just represent the loss of bed spaces or meals, but the dissolution of a hub of trust, compassion, and communal support for the city’s homeless population.
Calling for Support
The fight to keep Simon House’s doors open is ongoing with an urgent call for increased community involvement, raising funds, and rallying support. In the face of such adversity, the indomitable spirit of those involved with Simon House is clear. With hope, resilience, and the power of charity, they believe that they can overcome the current crisis and continue to serve Frankfort’s vulnerable people.
The ultimate decision on Simon House’s future rests in the hands of the board members. But the shelter’s current predicament speaks volumes about larger societal issues – myriad challenges that facilities like Simon House face and the dire need for robust, sustained support for those living in precarity.
