A group of local community leaders fighting homelessness in the Golden Triangle is picking up the pace.
Motivated by declining temperatures and increasing need in the region, the Golden Triangle Regional Homeless Coalition, has set its sights on securing an emergency shelter this winter. The group hopes to have a emergency shelter space established in 45-60 days.
Rev. Sandra DePriest of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepard, a co-chairman of the coalition, said the group was formed by concerned community members who have noticed homelessness and a total absence of local solutions — the nearest homeless shelter is in Tupelo. The organization has long-term solutions in mind, but seeks to administer a band-aid to the wound immediately.
“Right now, our greatest need is emergency shelter for women and children,” DePriest said.
The group estimates that the Golden Triangle has 2,000 to 5,000 homeless individuals based on information from churches and charities in the area. This estimate does not mean that many people are living on the streets day-to-day, but rather that many are forced to stay with other families or sleep in cars.
DePriest said they have drawn help and advice from other charity and outreach groups in the Golden Triangle. DePriest said Glenda Buckhalter of Columbus Community Outreach is heavily involved in the Coalition. The other co-chairman is Rev. Anne Harris of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
The coalition has also found support from The Last House on the Block, an addiction rehabilitating center for men in Columbus. David Duett, one of the founders of Last House, said he became more aware of homelessness in the area when his teenage daughter developed a passion for the issue. He said there is a great need for this work, and the coalition’s effort has increased in recent months to reflect that need. Originally, the group met once a month — now they meet every ten days.
Duett said the coalition needs the community’s help and prayers.
“The community is starting to really get behind it,” Duett said. “We’re getting more excited every week.”
DePriest told The Dispatch the group is in the process of becoming a 501c(3) non-profit organization. She said the group now has about 22 members, who will become the Coalition’s first Board of Directors. That board is presently working with a donation of $4,000 to $5,000 from a group of local business professionals and is accepting donations.
Currently, the Coalition regularly helps those in need by putting them up in a affordable hotel room. Many local hotels will donate rooms, or give them at a discounted rate. DePriest said that for $30, the Coalition can put a family in shelter for the night.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
