Local volunteers form Doorway to Home group to address emergency shelter and homelessness

A community member identified as Jonathan used the public-comment portion of the Edgar County Board meeting to describe two local efforts: crisis-services work through the HRC and a community group called Doorway to Home focused on homelessness and shelter needs.

Jonathan said HRC has been trying to increase timely crisis services in the county jail but has been hampered by general liability insurance requirements; HRC is pursuing supplemental insurance to permit staff to enter the jail. He said HRC is also recruiting a school-based counselor for District 95 to address behavioral health needs in young children.

On homelessness, Jonathan said Doorway to Home — a small volunteer group operating out of "Lick Ridge" — meets at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. The group is discussing emergency shelter capacity, sanitation and outreach, and is coordinating with the Paris fire department and the current shelter operating in the Ag Building. Jonathan said the group is exploring forming a nonprofit and is meeting with other organizations active in homelessness response.