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Update: Fort Wayne Takes Steps To Help Homeless Women And Children

By Laura Donaldson
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June 18, 2010 FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) – Last year Indiana’s NewsCenter exposed the problem of homeless women and children without a warm place to go. Since then, several homeless shelter providers say they've taken steps in the last year to re-pair this tear in the social service net. Three separate shelters either opened or expanded recently creating at least 106 beds for homeless women and children compared to last year. But what has the city of Fort Wayne done for the homeless? “We're not directly providing services,” Fort Wayne spokesperson Rachel Blakeman said. “We're not providing shelters. We're not buying property. We help get those federal funds to agencies when they apply.” City officials say they've applied for and received $874,000 in “Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing" or HPRP money from the federal government. Part of that money will help a person pay their bills so they don’t lose their home. And the other part will help a homeless person quickly find permanent housing. . Officials say the HPRP money will help 60 families in the next two years beginning in January. But the homelessness problem remains in Fort Wayne.The Charis House, a woman and child’s homeless shelter, has been forced to turn away nearly 50 people recently. Anyone in need of shelter in Northeast Indiana should call 211 on their telephone. This is a service that can help find you a place to stay or tell you who you should call. The United Way funds this program. If you would like to donate to them call the United Way at 422-4776 and ask for a staff accountant. If you’d like to help the shelters by giving a donation you can call them directly at the numbers below. Women and Children Shelters: Charis House: 426-8123 Interfaith Hospitality Network: 458-9772, families YWCA: 424-4908, work with women in domestic violence situations only Vincent Village: 456-4172 Hope House: 424-3783 Genesis: 456-1480, rehabilitation Hope Alive: 420-6100 Rose Home: 424-1600 Wings of Hope: 745-1005 The Vessel House: 557-6183 Premier Place: 745-3037 Men Only Shelters: Fort Wayne Rescue Mission: 426-7357 Shepard’s House: 424-2500
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