|
 With
lots of new updates to report, Regional Housing and Support Services
(RHSS) board members Kim Turner, Patti Schonauer, and Tom Funk gave
LDN a walkthrough of the facility, as well as a rundown of the
facility’s progression. Also on the RHSS board is Nadia Klekamp, Dea
Welsh, Lori Jackson, and, formerly, Joe Schaler.
Hope on 5th is currently operated by the Regional
Housing and Support Services (RHSS) non-profit.
To bring better understanding of where Hope on 5th is now, here is a
brief history. In 2023 Central Illinois Veterans Commission (CIVC)
helped acquire the building. Before the 5th St. building was to be
sold, a non-profit organization, or 501c3, was needed for the sale
to be made. CIVC, being an already established non-profit, stepped
in to help. The RHSS was still being established when the building
was being acquired, so the CIVC became the stand in 501c3 until RHSS
could take over. In early 2024, RHSS took over and currently
operates Hope on 5th.
When asked about the CIVC’s current level of
involvement, Turner shared that it was very little officially. There
are many members of the CIVC, however, who have been very supportive
of Hope on 5th. There have been some CIVC members volunteering time
to help get the facility up and running, and some of the RHSS board
members are also members of the CIVC board, such as Schonauer and
the late Joe Schaler."
There are ongoing discussions about future opportunities to develop
partnerships between RHSS and CIVC. Hope on 5th presents an
opportunity to help people along their housing journey, including
veterans.
Speaking of Schaler, before his passing, he
commissioned a section of wall in the facility to be painted with
the facility’s new name. This newly painted wall can be seen
immediately upon entering through the front entrance of Hope on 5th.
This mural is not the only part of the building to be updated in the
last year.
The first thing the RHSS board members showed off was
the kitchen. Last year, the kitchen was being looked at as a
potential space for businesses to rent out but was still filled with
many things left behind by Lincoln College. Today, the kitchen has
been cleared, remodeled, and approved by the Logan County Department
of Public Health. While they are still in need of many kitchen
utensils, such as pots and pans, spatulas, etc., they are now able
to rent that space out.
Lincoln Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has already moved into and is
using the Hope on 5th building regularly.
A small kitchen area, a meeting room with tables and
chairs, and the front porch is the designated Lincoln AA space. From
what the RHSS board members shared, AA is using that facility
regularly and had a guest speaker meeting recently with over 50
people in attendance.
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (LLLA) is another organization that, with
an office space in the Hope on 5th facility. The LLLA provides legal services
to low-income members of Central and Southern Illinois. Funk shared
that their services usually relate to domestic and family matters.
While this next update is not yet set in stone, Hope
on 5th is attempting to get a contract with Carle Health for a
clinic that will also offer addiction services. Recently, LDN
reported on a decision by the Logan County Board to provide Hope on
5th with $100,000 of funding. The first $45,000 is being provided
with no qualifiers, but the other $55,000 will come after the RHSS
secures a contract with Carle Health. While the board members are
hopeful about this contract, it is still very early in the process.
Once a contract is secured, the additional county funding will help
cover the costs of buildouts that have been requested by Carle.
Besides the money the Logan County Board has agreed to provide for
the facility, Hope on 5th has received a lot of funding from other
sources. They secured a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Department
of Veteran Affairs, $50,000 from the Woods Foundation, and $10,000
from Eaton Corp. So far, approximately $42,000 of work has been put
into the building, including WiFi and a new HVAC system.
In addition to all of these updates, the board
members shared two model rooms that have been staged to show what
they would look like once people begin moving in.
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One of the rooms was staged as if a veteran were
living there. The bed had a red, white, and blue flag on the bed, a
mini fridge, a microwave, and a bathroom with a shower.
The other room was staged as if a single mother with
children were occupying it. There was a regular twin sized bed as
well as a bunk bed. This room also had a mini fridge, microwave, and
bathroom with a shower.
While no one is living in the facility yet, the entire north wing is
finished being renovated and is ready for people to start moving in.
This, however, cannot happen until two more things are finished:
security and rules. To ensure the safety of those staying in the
building, RHSS is planning on installing a security system in the
building. This will keep the residents safe from any potential
outside threats. Rules are needed to help maintain the safety and
stability of anyone inside. RHSS shared that they have been mulling
over many ideas of how the rules will look, and are making some
headway in that regard, but they are not ready yet. They also shared
that they have renovated a room for a Resident Advisor staff member
to reside in at times that other staff members are not on hand. This
way, they can ensure that someone is on hand all hours of the day
and night.
Once everything is ready for people to start moving
in, Turner shared that the first people they are hoping to have move
in are veterans. Turner additionally shared that they hope to become
a feeder facility to the tiny homes that CIVC has been creating
throughout Logan County. The RHSS board members stated they are
hoping to have some veterans moving in by the end of this year.
On the second floor, a meeting room has been set up
and is currently being used for weekly veteran’s meetings.
On the first and third Wednesday of each month,
Operation Veteran Social meets here from 6-7 p.m. as a safe space
for veterans to connect with fellow veterans. On the second and
fourth Wednesday of each month, Never Alone meets from 6-7 p.m. to
help veterans recover from their experiences serving our country.
When asked about their next big step, the RHSS board members shared
that getting rules, a security system, and veterans in the north
wing are their next biggest steps. RHSS wants to get people moved in
as soon as they can.
Hope on 5th’s mission is to provide housing to anyone who is
homeless or at risk of homelessness. Schonauer and Turner shared
that homelessness can be the root of many other problems in people’s
lives. Even just the threat of homelessness can cause an immense
amount of stress for someone. If Hope on 5th can take away that
insecurity for someone, it allows them to be able to focus on any
other issues they may have. This gives them the space they need to
sort things out and start getting their affairs back in order.
If you would like to contribute to Hope of 5th’s
mission in Lincoln, you can do so with either your time or money.
You can donate through a link on their Facebook page or message them
there to see what ways you can volunteer.
There is also a fundraiser for Hope on 5th coming up at the end of
July. Tickets for the fundraiser, being held on July 26th, can be
purchased using the registration form found in Lincoln Daily News,
or Facebook page as well. Tickets must be purchased by July 19th as
space is limited. The fundraiser will be held at the Lincoln Banquet
Center at 201 Madigan Drive. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m.
[Matt Boutcher] |
