January 30, 2020

LCF Donor Profile: Emergency Warming Center Task Force

The Licking County Emergency Warming Center Task Force Executive Board is comprised of (pictured left to right) Scott Hayes from Vertical 196 and Licking County Jail Ministries, Chad Brown from Licking County Health Department, Sean Grady from Licking County Emergency Management Agency, Linda Mossholder from Newark Homeless Outreach, Jeff Gill from Newark Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Tim Callahan from the American Red Cross. 

 

Licking County Foundation Donor Profile: Emergency Warming Center Task Force

“What are we doing for homeless shelters?” This question was posed by Revered Jeff Gill of Central Christian Church during the 2018 Polar Vortex. Gill’s question was a turning point and led to the formation of the Emergency Warming Center Task Force. Comprised of organizations and faith-based groups, they have created a plan for trainings and partnerships to provide for the homeless population when temperatures are at or below 10˚F. The Task Force has created a charitable fund at the Licking County Foundation to support the needs of these emergency warming centers. They shared these thoughts on their efforts:

What should the community know about the Task Force?

This group hopes to improve services year over year and continue to help with this effort going forward. We need the community’s help to do this, and the best way is to donate to the Emergency Warming Center Fund and to volunteer when the shelter locations ask for volunteers.

What is the purpose of the fund?

This effort costs money and Licking County Foundation provided an initial grant of $5,000 to help the shelter locations defray costs. This amount of money, coupled with funds made available through the County EMA and County Health Department, enabled us to be ready for this season.

What has inspired you about this community?

The ability of a group of random folks to get together and actually make a difference for an at-risk population. There is a real movement of kindness within this county to help the homeless deal with the multitude of issues they face.

The goal is to get to the point where there are options for the entire county when temperatures are below 32˚F. We need more shelter sites, more volunteers and more donations to supply them all. This effort just doesn’t stop at the end of this season.