Thanks for homeless help

Our group, Advocates to End Chronic Homelessness, is extremely grateful to our community for its support of the Warming Souls Winter Overflow Shelter, which ran from Nov. 1 to March 31. Because of your generosity, 622 different individuals were able to find overnight shelter during those five months. An average of 77 men and women per night took refuge at the shelter, and cots were filled 11,681 times. The "point-in-time" count on Jan. 26 found that the overflow shelter provided 100 of the 656 beds that were available in the city for the homeless.

Although our group coordinates the shelter, it is a community project funded entirely through private donations and grants. We want to thank all of the churches, foundations, groups and individuals who donated funds, space, meals, transportation and volunteer time.

Inter-Faith Ministries staffed the shelter and provided hundreds of hours of additional services. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, the Christian Faith Centre, First United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Cathedral, Grace United Methodist Church and Inter-Faith donated the use of their facilities. More than 300 churches and other groups provided evening and morning meals and often gave gifts of clothing and hygiene necessities as well.

The Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, Comcare, Kansas Legal Services, the Hunter Health Clinic, the Wichita Dream Center and the Kansas Food Bank provided needed supplies and services. Nearly 3,000 volunteers gave more than 11,800 hours of volunteer time.

AECH originally intended to sponsor this shelter for just three years. However, the downturn in the economy has caused a delay in the development of a homeless resource center, an increase in homelessness, and a decrease in available services. Recognizing these factors, the oversight committee for the Wichita/Sedgwick County Taskforce to End Chronic Homelessness requested that we again coordinate efforts to provide the shelter next winter.

We have agreed to open the shelter for 2011-12 because the overwhelming support for the shelter this past winter leads us to believe the funds will be available. We also believe that there should be a more permanent solution to the continuing need for a temporary shelter, and we are working with others in the community to develop a plan. If you would like to help, please contact us through the website www.AECHWichita.com.

JANIS COX

DENISE GUNKEL

Co-chairwomen

Advocates to End Chronic Homelessness

Wichita