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Hope’s Wings warns federal grant freezes threaten transitional housing; asks community to support ‘Jail and Bail’ fundraiser
Summary
Hope’s Wings officials said federal grant funding freezes have put transitional housing (phase 3) at risk, threatening support for nearly 20 families; the nonprofit asked commissioners and residents to take part in its annual Jail and Bail fundraiser and to help raise pledges.
Representatives of Hope’s Wings told the Richmond commission April 14 that frozen federal grant funds threaten critical portions of the shelter’s programming, including transitional housing that helps survivors move from emergency shelter into stable housing.
Paige Kirchner, communications coordinator for Hope’s Wings, said the program has served more than 4,000 survivors since opening in 2009 and that current funding uncertainty could force cuts to transitional housing and education services. Kirchner said those services are essential to preventing survivors from returning to unsafe conditions.
Executive Director Jennifer Lainhart and another speaker identified as Joan said the agency currently funds nearly 20 families in Richmond, Berea and Madison County by paying deposits and first-month rent. Joan described the cost of securing an apartment (deposit and first month) as nearing $3,000 in the current market and said a typical two‑bedroom rent may be about $1,200 per month. They said these transitional-housing payments are expensive but crucial for long-term stability.
Hope’s Wings asked the commission and community to support its annual Jail and Bail fundraiser. The event places volunteers in mock custody to raise bail pledges on behalf of the nonprofit. Organizers asked city leaders and residents to participate, noting the event will operate at Central Bank next Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fundraising targets mentioned at the meeting included a suggested $600 pledge for participating “arrestees,” though staff said any amount helps.
The presenters said some of the program’s federal grants are frozen and other potential funding (including HUD-related funds and vouchers) may be uncertain; they asked the community for immediate help through the fundraiser and ongoing support to maintain services. Commission members and staff thanked Hope’s Wings for its work; no formal action or city funding decision was taken at the meeting.
Clarifying details from the presentation
- Hope’s Wings has served more than 4,000 survivors since 2009 (speaker: Paige Kirchner). - Transitional housing (phase 3) supports nearly 20 families currently in Richmond, Berea and Madison County; funding for that phase is at risk due to federal grant freezes (speakers: Jennifer Lainhart, Joan). - Typical move-in costs (deposit and first month) cited as nearly $3,000; two-bedroom rents given as about $1,200/month (speaker: Joan). - Jail and Bail fundraiser: Central Bank, next Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; typical pledge targets mentioned as $600 per “arrestee” (speaker: Jennifer Lainhart/Paige Kirchner).
