I55 Mission Opens New Homeless Shelter in Adair Co.

On August 1st I55 Mission, a nonprofit agency, opened a new emergency housing shelter in Cane Valley. I55 Mission has facilities in Adair and Russell Counties. The facility in Adair County is the former home of 2nd Chance Outreach, and can house up to 6 women, a family of up to 6 people, and 12 men. The Russell County facility can house up to 8 females, 8 males, and 4 families.
Stephanie Caldwell is the director of the shelter, and there are two management personnel who stay at the facility. I55 Mission will take someone in day or night. They are open 24 hours a day.
Our mission is helping homeless people in the Lake Cumberland area get rapidly and permanently back on their feet, while offering as a resource to other assistance programs in the area.
I55 Mission was a project born of need. There are people in our communities who sleep in vehicles, or stay with friends or relatives. Until the opening of this facility, Adair, and surrounding counties were only able to serve up to 3 homeless families on site any given night. I55 Mission provides a nice Christian facility at minimal cost.
The cost is $10 per night for a bed and shower, $2 extra for meal, and $3 extra for transportation to Columbia, Russell Springs, Jamestown, or Campbellsville. For a total of $15 per day a homeless person can get all needs met in a warm Christian atmosphere.
Unfortunately, many homeless families have not been able to meet the criteria for the housing assistance programs out there currently. This is where I55 Mission wants to help fill in the gap. Recognizing the critical need in the community, 2nd Chance Outreach Executive Director, Greg Troutt, and others began looking for answers. The result is an exciting Christian organization that reaches Adair and surrounding counties, and will soon expand from a total of 44 beds to 64 beds in coming months. The new shelter provides both short-term housing (up to 60 days), and transitional housing (up to 14 months).
I55 Mission's Director, Stephanie Caldwell comments, "Undertaking this as a nonprofit, volunteer project during the current economic situation will be rewarding but challenging, and we understand the immediate need we are working to assist. We are continually encouraged by the citizens of Adair and surrounding counties who share the vision we have, and see the need we see." Caldwell continues, "It is so important that we are able to begin this now, when there are so many families here on the Lake Cumberland region that is in need of the services we can provide."
I55 Mission will be seeking grants, but for now they are funded by donations and the small fee that they charge. I55 Mission, like most other shelters, is much more than just a bed and a meal; it provides safe housing; food, clothing, and other basic necessities; and one-on-one mentoring and extensive support. In addition, the facility offers wireless internet for computer job searching, and a fresh start for many families, and individuals.
For more information, please call 384-1292 or 380-1225.