Concerned citizens gathered Tuesday to discuss the needs of the homeless and possible solutions of homelessness in Brown County.
Brown County Home Solutions (BCHS) held a public meeting with representatives of several social groups who daily work with the homeless and needy in the area. The meeting was held in an old church building donated by the former Avenue D Baptist Church, what the group hopes to develop into a homeless assistance center and shelter.
Leading the discussion was Doak Givan of the Center for Life Resources. He explained how the BCHS has developed after a three year process of considering what the community can do for the homeless, and the group has received a letter of determination from the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit agency.
“We are gathered today to talk about solutions. To make this community better for not only the homeless, but for all of us,” said Givan. “Things that aren’t easy, that are hard or difficult to do are worth it.”
Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries and BCHS board member outlined that there is a big homeless problem in Brownwood with 32 homeless children enrolled in the Brownwood ISD, veterans that are now homeless, and many others that are on the verge of losing housing. Givan stated that veterans are the largest group in homeless demographics.
Givan outlined the plans BCHS has for the development of their facility to help the homeless. He stated that the church building would be renovated through the work of volunteers and funding of donations and hopefully some grants that the group will apply for soon. He also stated that BCHS plans to possibly collect rain water from the metal roof of the building to irrigate a garden which will be developed in the vacant lot next to the building.
BCHS has four components according to Givan.
1. Prevent people from becoming homeless: The organization will help people to learn skills, find jobs, or help to subsidize housing expenses for those near becoming homeless.
2. Help the homeless to quickly regain housing: The organization will provide a strict program to help assist people to become self-sufficient and to lead improved, healthy and happy lives.
3. Develop and maintain a collaboration of programs to help with homelessness: Cooperation between agencies and churches to assist the needs of the homeless.
4. Develop a staff and pool of volunteers: BCHS is seeking people to fill positions as well as funding/donations.
“Know that we are committed to finding funding,” said Givan who explained the group plans to apply for many grants through foundations and that the group will not be duplicating any program that is already established in the area.
The meeting also featured many agency leaders from local churches, social services and even previously homeless people. One man, 66-year-old Willie Burks, came to Brownwood about 18 months ago as a homeless person. He had found himself sleeping on a bench in a local park until someone told him about New Beginnings Church offering shelter and meals to the homeless.
“Well for myself, they helped me get off the streets, and helped me every week if I wanted some food,” said Burks.
Burks explained his story, stating that he had been employed with some people who had stolen his social security card and taken his benefits, which contributed to his homeless state in 2013. After being helped by New Beginnings Church and working to change his situation, Willie now has regained his social security number and benefits, attends church where he regularly tithes, and he volunteers at the Salvation Army five days a week.
“Volunteering at the Salvation Army has really uplifted my life,” said Burks. “Homelessness is really a bad problem anyway. Being homeless is a really bad problem, for anyone, but when you have twenty people, 30, or 40 people… I haven’t met them all, but there’s quite a few.”
Givan told the story of an 18-year-old girl who was brought to the Center for Life Resources, dropped off by her foster father. He wanted to find her some help to make it on her own, but when it was found that she didn’t qualify for any social services and housing through local agencies, he abandoned her, stating that he was done with his responsibility, she wasn’t his problem. Givan stated that it broke his heart to see this.
Givan asked those in attendance to complete a survey handed out at the meeting their about their views and opinions of homelessness, and to consider supporting the Brown County Home Solutions through prayer, donations and by volunteering.
For more information and updates on the progress of the BCHS program, please visit their Facebook page, Brown County Home Solutions.
Pictured is the Brown County Home Solutions facility.
