LUNCHEON SPEAKER
Excelsior Springs Homeless Outreach
Guest speaker for the March luncheon was Becky Poitras, Assistant Director of the Metro Lutheran Ministry. Becky was there to inform on services for homeless and at-risk households.
The outreach ministry has a mission to help those in need experiencing housing insecurity. Assistance available includes help with rent, utilities, childcare payments, food and more. “There is special funding for Clay County residents with children,” Becky said. “We partner with the school district.” There are also funds available to help with eviction prevention.
Their homeless program provides a full time street outreach case manager, assessments to place unhoused people on a HUD coordinated entry housing prioritization list, emergency needs, basic needs, and a 30-day voucher is available to Clay County families with children for hotel stay. MLM participates in the Balance of State Continuum of Care. “We are getting ready to do outreach and assessment to 89 counties,” Becky said.
During the last week of January this year, Becky said that MLM helped with the Point in Time Count of homeless in Excelsior Springs, joined by City Planner Shantele Frie, other members of city staff and the police department. Two homeless persons were connected with. In the counties of Clay and Platte, Becky said there are probably 300-325 homeless at any one time. Currently, they are housing 43 families with children in a hotel environment.
“While it may not be very visible, homelessness does exist here,” Becky said. “We want you to know we are here to help.”
In the Northland, Metro Lutheran Ministry can be contacted at 1100 Northeast Vivion Rd., Kansas City, MO 64118, 816-454-5295. Visit the website for more information on how to access assistance.
