COLUMBUS, Ind. — About 150 people attended a community conversation on homelessness Thursday night.
The event, which was held at Donner Center, included discussion by representatives from local nonprofits and a time for feedback and questions.
Panelists included Kelly Daugherty with Love Chapel, Diane Doup with the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center and Megan Cherry with Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry in Seymour.
Lena Blackstock of Process/Practice Studio moderated the nonpartisan event, which she said was initiated by Columbus City Council members Elaine Hilber, Grace Kestler and Frank Miller.
“We’re hoping that this meeting will be the first in a series and not a one-and-done type of event,” Blackstock said. “So we’re hoping to have follow-up conversations as we move into the next year. I want to reiterate too that this is a complex question and challenge that we’re thinking about. And so we’re not going to leave with a concrete answer today, but instead we’re hoping we can all leave here tonight with a shared understanding, some direction and some momentum.”
As community members entered the event, they were encouraged to contribute to a “wall of terminology” and write their own definitions for words such as dignity, chronic and temporary homelessness, panhandling and social services.
The forum then got underway with Blackstock prompting the panelists to speak about different aspects of their work and the challenges local communities face.
For instance, she asked if there were examples they could share of instances where communities were able to be proactive about helping people before homelessness became an issue.
Daugherty replied that this is their goal, and there are about 20 different organizations who meet every Thursday to discuss solutions for clients who are struggling.
However, he added that it would be helpful if there was some sort of “central clearinghouse” in the community.
One issue, Daugherty said, is that some people who are facing financial trouble don’t reach out for help until after something bad happens, such as their electricity being shut off.
“If we can find a way to help navigate them before it gets to that point, it would make a world of difference in what we do,” Daugherty said.
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