Beyond Homeless to celebrate one year of serving people in need

Sunday, March 29, 2015

One year ago on March 31, 2014, Beyond Homeless Inc. (BHI) opened its doors to members of the community who needed a home.

Thanks to support of countless individuals and organizations in Putnam County as well as its many volunteers, BHI has been able to serve 56 women and 24 children, providing more than 3,750 bed nights of service.

"That's 3,750 nights that someone didn't have to go without a bed or a safe place to stay," Executive Director Tanis Monday said.

But the good news doesn't end there.

Providing shelter is great, she said, but what is greater is when someone improves their situation by gaining employment, stability, housing or other assistance they may need. More than 50 percent of residents had some increase in self-sufficiency or improvement in their situation during their stay at BHI and more than 70 percent of residents left shelter services for other stable housing opportunities.

Additionally, BHI's Homeless Prevention and Assistance programs have operated for six months and provided 72 nights of short-term hotel shelter to men, women and couples and provided 20 households with financial assistance for rent, utilities or other costs that allowed them to remain in their homes.

To help celebrate BHI's one-year anniversary, McDonald's has agreed to donate a portion of its sales for the entire day on Tuesday, March 31 to Beyond Homeless.

Persons who stop by McDonald's at the Greencastle or Cloverdale location for breakfast, lunch or dinner anytime on Tuesday can help support Beyond Homeless. BHI volunteers will be on-site at both locations throughout the day to answer questions about shelter services and further ways to get involved.

Monday urged residents to help spread the word on BHI services.

"The shelter provides emergency housing to homeless single women and women with children," she said. "Beyond Homeless assists individuals and families by providing education and assistance in obtaining needed services from other agencies. Please refer anyone who is homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless to the shelter."

BHI continues to have a need for donations and volunteers.

For more information on how to donate or get involved, persons may contact Executive Director Monday at 765-301-9263 or beyondhomelessincorporated@gmail.com. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 733, Greencastle.

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