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 The Keest Center opened in 2005, the result of a
charitable endowment left to Salvation Army by Harold and Hilda
Keest in 2004. Harold had passed away in 2000 and Hilda followed him
in 2003. The estate left a total of $1.5 million to four local
organizations including the Salvation Army.
The $700,000 left to the Salvation Army funded the building of the
Keest Center, which was designated as a temporary shelter for the
homeless and also as a central location for the administration of
Salvation Army services to families in need in Logan County.
The second floor of the building was established as a living
quarters able to accommodate families in need, but only a limited
number – one or maybe two families at a time. The ground floor
includes a meeting room, kitchen, food pantry, clothing pantry and
administrative offices.
Eight years ago, Tony Shuff became director of the Lincoln facility,
and since then he has been the only employee.
That has now changed. The Lincoln Center is now staffed with people
there to assist in serving the community. Included in the staff are
Rachel Oney and Matt Griffin. Also just coming in to the mix is Bill
Dolan. Shuff said that Dolan is filling the role of Administrative
Assistant. Oney and Griffin work directly with clients. Shuff still
heads up the Lincoln office.
In addition to new people, there is also a new focus at the Keest
Center Shelter. The second floor has been converted to accommodate a
larger number of people and is working specifically to offer
transitional housing to veterans. The program is being funded by a
grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Griffin works with the veterans and explained how the program works.
To start, the second floor is now equipped to house up to 11 male
veterans at once. In mid-February there were three veterans staying
at the center. Griffin explained that Lincoln is for single males
only, but the Lincoln Salvation Army is part of a network that
includes Bloomington. In Bloomington a similar shelter can house up
to nine people and is able to accommodate females, couples, and
children.
The shelter is meant to be a temporary solution for veterans who
have served in active duty and reservists who have been activated by
presidential order, with a discharge other than dishonorable. Each
veteran may stay at the shelter for up to 90 days. Also during that
time, Griffin said there are ‘wrap around” services that will assist
the veterans in once again achieving independent living.
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While lack of employment is not a condition of
staying at the shelter, Griffin said for those who do need to seek
employment some of the wrap around services include assisting with
resume’ writing and also helping with job searches.
Shuff said that the Salvation Army is working with the local
Veterans Assistance Commission in Lincoln to determine what is
needed for local veterans and offer assistance in addition to the
housing.
Shuff said that the grant through the DVA is helping with this
particular program, but there are other programs within the local
Salvation Army that are dependent upon community support. He noted
that this year the red kettle campaign came up about $8,000 short of
the goal, and he is hopeful that the Lincoln branch will be able to
make up those funds through other donations.
In spite of the shortfall, Shuff said the Salvation Army is doing
more than ever to support the local community. He noted for example
that the summer youth camps started out as one a year, but now the
Lincoln Salvation Army is involved in offering seven such camps each
summer.
The local office also works to provide for the needs of families at
Christmas time. He noted that the Salvation Army does Christmas food
baskets for families and also has an “Adopt-a-family” program that
the public can get involved.
Oney is working with the new Pathway of Hope program. The Pathway of
Hope program may be used by the veterans but is also for any family
at risk of homelessness or any other kind of inability to be
self-sufficient. Oney serves as a case worker/consultant who works
directly with each client.
Her work includes doing a needs assessment for the individual or
family. Assistance can include providing temporary shelter, but can
also be working with the client to maintain their current housing.
The goal is to “stabilize” families to assure they are or can become
self-sufficient.
In addition to assisting with housing, the program may also be able
to provide employment services - interview preparation, resume
writing, job skills and budget planning. Oney also will assist a
client in getting their Medicaid benefits if they qualify.
Plans are underway for a ribbon cut and reception at
the Keest Center soon. The community will be invited to attend. The
date and time will be announced in Lincoln Daily News when
confirmed.
[Nila Smith] |
