Day center plans moving forward
posted: June 6, 2008 | category: homelessness
tags: day center, homeless news
We had another meeting yesterday about a proposed homeless day center for Greensboro. The core services list: phones, mail, bathrooms, toiletries, showers, laundry, lockers, quiet room (for resting), and bus passes. There was good discussion and there’s more to be done. But things are moving along…
Frank Mickens from WFMY attended the meeting and interviewed City Council member Dianne Bellamy-Small. You can catch the video at digtriad.com. The news coverage is appreciated, but a couple of thoughts: Nobody that I know calls homeless people “transients” or “vagrants.” That’s just not cool. And 348 West Lee (an abandoned building) has been mentioned as one among a number of possible locations for a day center. I first heard it suggested when a cop friend took me by to look at it. But the current focus is on utilizing existing facilities . I’m not sure where News2 got the idea that 348 West Lee is where it’s happening. I called and left a message for Frank, but so far, I haven’t heard back. I’ve been to a lot of day center meetings, but maybe the Mickens has gotten some inside scoop. 
Update: Frank called me back this afternoon. He heard about 348 West Lee as a suggested location from the police officer who took me by there. As far as we know, nobody has talked to the owners of that property, so I wonder what they thought if they were watching the news last night? Surprise! Anyway, it’s just one suggestion among many, including using existing facilities (least expensive) and building a brand-new day center (dreamiest plan! — and most expensive.) So, the conversation continues…
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7 Responses to “Day center plans moving forward”
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I’m with you. I was offended by Frank’s use of the words “transient” and “vagrant”. And the idea of using 348 West Lee Street is crazy unless you level it and start all over. We can do a lot better than that degrading building.
Let’s keep on keeping on. Overcoming poverty is a religious value! Let’s end homelessness now!
I heard back from Frank. See my update above. I guess maybe the language changes when homeless people are people you know.
And I agree with your comments on the religious value of overcoming poverty, and on ending homelessness! Let’s do it!!
“Dream dreams as big as your God!” Quote from the founder of the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
How does one go about getting involved with the Day Center vision and action team?
Andy, the next meeting of the TDBS group is Thursday, July 10th at 1:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church on Eugene Street. This is a lunch meeting, so please RSVP to Donna Gray: Donna.Gray@greensboro-nc.gov or 336.373.2723.
We’re also hoping to have another meeting soon of homeless and formerly homeless people, and homeless advocates, to further discuss goals and plans for a proposed day center. I don’t have details about that yet.
I encourage you to contact or visit the Opportunity House, a newly created daytime resource center for homeless and jobless individuals in Concord. It is strategically located adjacent to the ESC/Job Link and Voc Rehab offices that offer programs within the center.
OH is a partnership between Midway United Methodist Church and Cooperative Christian Ministry that operates the local homeless shelter. Not sure what kind of facility you are looking for, but this is a house that someone within the community made available and a really great concept. Contact info is at http://www.cooperativeministry.com.
Kim, thanks for the link. Good services offered by the Opportunity House! We’ll need to start with “first things first” here (bathrooms, showers, laundry, lockers, phones), but educational and employment services are part of our larger vision, as well.