The Hospitality Center has been deeply impacted by an increasing number of individuals with high acuity in behavioral health. This has led to disruptions in our community room, making it difficult for everyone involved. It’s heartbreaking to realize that some of these individuals have nowhere else to turn for help, as their behaviors have caused other organizations to close their doors to them. In addition, many community programs lack suitable meeting spaces, which drives them to rely on our Center for client interactions, simply because it is a more accessible option. During a recent tally, we learned that 31 different organizations are coming to the Center to meet with clients or coordinate services for those we collectively serve. The demand for homeless services is reaching a critical point. As a single agency, we are striving to meet this urgent need through our diverse programs and the extensive support we offer to other organizations. It has become increasingly evident that we need a new building that can better support our community.
At the Zoning Hearing meeting last week, we encountered some resistance, often characterized as NIMBYism (Not in My Backyard), which can make it challenging to expand necessary services in certain neighborhoods. Every year, during our Sleep Out event, I passionately call on our community to come together and address the issue of homelessness. It is an important moment for introspection, prompting us to ask ourselves, “” As a vital support organization in our community, we are committed to moving forward not with a mindset of questioning why this responsibility has fallen to us, but with a sense of purpose in saying: yes, we will rise to this challenge together.
Sunanda Charles
Executive Director
