Faith House serving those experiencing homelessness in area

CHANUTE -- Faith House is about to enter into its fifth year of providing services to those less fortunate in Southeast Kansas.

Spearheaded by a group of concerned citizens that included Shelly Holley and Bernita Olinger, Faith House was created to provide services to those who were experiencing homelessness. People within the community realized that homelessness was not only a problem in the big cities, but also in the rural areas as well.

In fact, the number of homeless people in Neosho County alone stunned the group and is what led it into action. What was later discovered is that help was needed for Allen, Woodson and Bourbon counties as well. Faith House has grown to serve needs for homeless residents in each of these counties with support from those communities.

Since its founding, Faith House has provided services to hundreds of families and children. What makes Faith House unique compared to other shelters is what is accomplished by its guests.

"We are not a hand out, but a hand up," Faith House Executive Director Linda Stange said in a news release. "There are expectations that each guest must meet upon entering the shelter if they wish to continue to receive services. The guests at Faith House agree to immediately search for employment, housing and childcare while the staff and volunteers of Faith House work to help the guest with the skills needed to accomplish these goals, all within 30-45 days. Faith House has been very successful and much of that is due to the belief that the shelter serves as a transitional service between homelessness and housing. Faith House provides hope and a vision of a better life to those who seek it."

Once in the shelter, the families develop budgets, adult members create resumés and practice interviewing skills. In addition, St. Patrick's Bargain Store in Chanute donates clothing to those individuals going out for interviews.

When housing and employment are found, Faith House has grant funding available to help with part of the first month's rent and utilities. This amount is typically half of the first month's rent and deposit on the utilities. Stange believes that the guest must contribute as well toward rent and utilities and that is why Faith House only pays a portion of what is required.

After guests depart Faith House, services do not end there.

"Our goal is to keep them out of services," Stange said. "We are very proud of the aftercare services we provide. Follow up is very important to prevention and any time we can be proactive, it is a plus."

Contacts are made at least once a week or as needed by staff and volunteers to ensure that everything is running smoothly for the former guest.

"If problems are encountered, we work with the former guest to solve the problem," Stange said. "Sometimes they just need someone to talk to or just reassurance that what they are doing is correct. We are so very fortunate to have community volunteers who spend a countless amount of hours devoted to this service."

Like other social service programs across the state, Faith House is experiencing cuts in funding.

"This year has been the busiest on record in terms of the number of guests at Faith House and we expect those numbers to continue to rise, but the reduction in funding streams has made it difficult to continue to serve the numbers we do," Stange said.

The goal of the shelter is to be self-sufficient with fundraising, but that has been difficult during these tough economic times. The shelter is currently debt-free, according to Stange, but money for operations is gradually diminishing. That is why you will see Faith House at Walmart with its bake sales or at Good 'Ol Days with its food booth. Although these sales are very successful, they do not generate all the income needed.

Stange noted that Faith House is currently in between two grants, so there is very little income coming in right now.

"Southeast Kansas has been very generous in the past when funding began to run low and we know that all the compassionate people will once again come forward to help those less fortunate," she said.

Donations made to Faith House, a 501 c-3 nonprofit organization, can be mailed to 1531 S. Evergreen, Chanute, Kan., 66720. Questions on how to volunteer at Faith House will be answered by calling Stange at (620) 431-4357.