Record Details:

Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center

Organization:
Facility Type: Shelter
Status: Open

Address:
P.O. Box 1707
Charleston, WV 25326

Region:
County/Parish:

Main/General Business Number: 304-925-0366
Website: http://www.rslwc.org/







This organization provides Temporary or Permanent Service? Temporary

Notes:

Programs
Giltinan Center

The Giltinan Center (GC) is a 60-bed emergency homeless facility for adult men. With the guidance and assistance of case managers, residential coordinators, peer counselors, and direct service staff, clients strive to establish personal goals, find employment, save money, and find suitable. safe and stable permanent housing. This facility was established in 1988 at its present location, with a history of services beginning in 1981.

Twin Cities Center

Twin Cities Center (TCC) opened in the spring of 2003, with 16 beds to serve the chronically homeless population of the Kanawha Valley. TCC serves men and women with a persistent mental illness or a mental illness coupled with a substance abuse problem, who have experienced long periods of homelessness and/or multiple episodes of homelessness.

Liberty Center

Liberty Center (LC) is a 4-bed transitional program geared to support the successful re-entry of men returning home from prison that would other wise be homeless. The Liberty Center opened in the Spring of 2005 and is a collaborative partnership with the Religious Coalition of Community Renewal and the WV Bureau of Employment Programs. This project serves four men at any give time with an average length of stay ranging from six months to one year.

Veterans Grant and Per Diem Program - Transitional Housing and Service Center

The Veterans Program opened in November 2008 and is comprised of 27 units of transitional housing; 12 single room occupancies and 15 dorm style accommodations. The transitional housing program is geared to support single men who are experiencing homelessness and are Veterans. This program provides housing and case management support for up to two years to assist men in the program to work towards self-sufficiency and community living. The Service Center, named in honor of Col. Wesley McCoy Platt, USMC, is available for all Veterans in the community; whether homeless or not. A variety of services and classes are offered; along with individualized case management support.

====================

Shelters Overflow During Cold Snap
January 05, 2010
Charleston Daily Mail

By Charlotte Ferrell Smith

CHARLESTON, W.Va.--As temperatures drop, the number of people seeking the warmth of shelters soars.

Officials who run the area's shelters say they are at capacity while temperatures are expected to be below freezing all week.

The Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center operates the 60-bed Giltinan Center on Leon Sullivan Way and the 16-bed Twin Cities Center in St. Albans.

Jermaine Streets, program coordinator for Giltinan Center, said the facility is filled to capacity and overflowing.

"It always happens every time the weather changes," Streets said. "We have overflow individuals on mats, the sofa and chairs. Last night, we slept 15 in overflow. We never turn anybody away."

When the weather is gentler, some of the area's homeless choose to sleep in area parks or beneath bridges. Officials seek them out with offers of blankets and coffee as well as invitations to come to one of the shelters where it is warm, he said.

"It's dangerous outside," Streets said. "People hit them and throw stuff."

He said the shelter is in dire need of blankets. However, all donations are welcome from cash and nonperishable foods to coffee and coats.

Twin Cities Center is St. Albans is also overflowing with people sleeping on cots and couches, said Alex Alston, co-director of Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center.

Alston said the bitter cold does impact the number of people seeking the warmth of shelters. However, even more people are encouraged to come and he asks the public to let the homeless know where these safe spots are located.

While shelters are currently overflowing, Alston has noted they have been at capacity for the last four years as jobs have declined and people have run out of resources. He asks that potential employers consider those residing at shelters for job positions.

Among immediate shelter needs are sheets, towels, blankets and pillows, he said. Items may be dropped off at the Veterans Transitional Living and Service Center, 1015 Smith Street. Those who donate may specify where the items are to go. For more information call 304-414-0109.

Meanwhile, many are seeking help at YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Women, Children & Families.

"Yes, the shelter is definitely full," said Christy Smith, service coordinator. "We have 74 beds. Today bed availability is two or three."

If all beds are full, people are referred to shelters in surrounding areas, she said.

She added that case managers do a lot of outreach as they seek people out on the streets.

For Sojourner's, a wide variety of donations are welcome such as clothing, food, toiletries, diapers and formula. Call 304-340-3553 for information regarding donations.

Union Mission operates Crossroads Shelter in Charleston for men and Brookside Family Life Center for women and children in Kanawha City.

D. Rex Whiteford, president and chief executive officer for Union Mission, said beds are available at both facilities right now but expects them to fill up as the month goes on and people run out of money from things like unemployment benefits.

Some tend to stay in inexpensive motels and make do as best they can as long as possible, he said. Others drop by seeking assistance such as food or blankets, he added.

Donations may be dropped off at Crossroads, 503 Leon Sullivan Way, or at the main service center at 700 South Park Road. For more information call 304-925-0366.

Info Source/Changes:

Created At: Wed Jan 06 04:10:28 +0000 2010
Updated At: Wed Jan 06 05:12:32 +0000 2010
Updated By: DNug

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