City Mission – Living Stones, Inc. helps about 500 homeless men, women and children annually, working step-by-step to help people achieve self-sufficiency. The CFFC awarded City Mission a 2018 spring grant, and recently a 2019 spring grant, to support the Emergency Shelters. Their services include food, clothing, transportation, case management, resident management, utility and rental assistance and referrals to community agencies.
In March 2018, the government’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) that City Mission had utilized for 20+ years was eliminated in favor of permanent housing initiatives for the homeless. Irmi Gaut, Executive Director, said she continually looks for grant opportunities and is working with the Board, churches and community to help bridge the gap in funding.
Emergency Shelters provide time for individuals to gather documentation for permanent housing, find employment, address root causes of their homelessness and plan for long-term self-sufficiency. City Mission also provides transitional and permanent supportive housing and operates Home Again as a therapeutic residential facility and Promise House as an independent living program, both for youth.
The men’s emergency shelter and the women’s and children’s emergency shelter both have sleeping quarters, a shared kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room and laundry as well as an office and living quarters for staff. Shelter clients may stay for 30-60 days while they work with City Mission staff to find a job and plan for permanent housing.
Staff members Michelle Lindsey, Director of Youth Services, and Kelly Snyder, Emergency Shelter Supervisor, expressed the value of maintaining facilities’ security, cleanliness and good conditions to help City Mission clients feel safe, respected and motivated to be successful. Visit citymissionfayette.org for more information.
