Kim Gmail

This is an amazing place and is a role model for all communities who need a successful example of an organization helping the homeless. The staff are professional and kind and patient. Anybody can walk in the door sign up get a free meal, a shower and a private bathroom with clean towels and shampoo provided, you can also do a free load of laundry in some very nice clean washers and dryers...and sit down a very large group living room area that has beautiful nice comfortable couches and chairs that's quiet and safe. There's also about five computers that anyone can use to check email or to just be on the internet for short while, and they have a section where you can get a bag or two of snacks to take with you when you leave and you can also get some clothes and shoes. They keep track of what close you are given, so everyone shares in the resources. There's also usually a doctor on duty so if you're not feeling well or you want to talk about something you can talk to them. You can also make appointments to see a social services person to see if you qualify for any help like food assistance or medical care etc. And you can also apply for housing assistance. This place is clean and modern and amazing.I think it was put together over fifteen or twenty years ago with people who are concerned about homelessness in the community and they went out and talked to homeless people and asked what was needed and what was best and how to deal with the homelessness. The folks who had been homeless the longest said it's a good idea to provide food and a place to shower, and a place to do laundry and a place to just sit and feel quiet and safe. And that a clean set of clothes or shoes would be nice. So they actually listened to these folks and as a result it's an amazing center today it's looks like an office building and it's kept impeccably clean well-organized with an amazing set of volunteers who are well-trained. There is a process at every section of the building whether you're getting a meal or doing a shower doing laundry or getting food or clothes they have a process setup that every volunteer gets trained to do and it's excellent. To the person who comes in to use the services, it's seamless and easy and comfortable and safe. I'm so grateful for the service.I highly recommend visiting especially if you are another city struggling with how to help the homeless population in a limited way and also to provide a place for social services to come and interact with people applying for benefits or who need counseling her medical care etc. They also have some transition housing like apartments on the upper floors where people are housed until they can find longer-term solutions. But you have to apply for everything and they interview you and you have to be a resident of Howard.. county or actually being homeless or living in your car in Howard county. I hope they publish a handbook on how they the history of the place and how it all came together and how they get funding, and how they run the place so successfully and keep it in such great shape and provide such high-quality services and treat people who are guests with such respect and kindness and friendliness that is consistent with all staff and volunteers. It must be run by a private organization because I don't see a government organization being able to run something that well. And how they found their location and how they got funding for the building and how they started everything from ground up to where they are today and how they run thing. I do think it's run by a private nonprofit organization and with government services supplementary and coming into the organization but I think they get all or most of their funding from donations and or maybe some government subsidies I'm not sure you'd have to ask them. Heck it's cleaner nicer newer with better food and a better environment and nicer bathrooms and showers than I had in the college dorms! If you go there and use our services don't forget to thank the volunteers and staff.