Family Promise organizes fundraiser while addressing community shelter needs

The Carbon County Homeless Task Force convened on May 16, 2025, to discuss ongoing initiatives and challenges related to homelessness in the region. Key topics included plans for a warming shelter, community meals, and updates on local shelter capacities.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the need for enhanced case management services, particularly in drug and alcohol support, as well as mental health resources. A warming shelter is planned for the upcoming winter, alongside efforts to establish a soup kitchen to provide community meals.

Family Promise, a local organization, reported that it is currently at full capacity, housing 29 individuals, including 11 adults and 18 children. They are actively managing the intake and outflow of families, ensuring smooth operations.

The meeting also addressed the preliminary results from the Eastern Continuum of Care's point-in-time count, which indicated a slight decrease in the number of homeless households compared to the previous year. The count revealed 11 households and 13 individuals experiencing homelessness, a reduction from 19 households and 21 individuals in 2024. Participants noted that the availability of cold weather shelters likely contributed to this decrease.

The action committee reported that they are closely monitoring available funding sources, as they currently have 44 open cases and have assisted 52 households since the beginning of the year. There have been 87 calls for assistance, with 28 of those from individuals experiencing street homelessness.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Carbon County, with a focus on collaboration and resource management as the community prepares for the challenges of the upcoming winter months.