16 • The Beacon December 24 , 2020
Standing Oaks plans to work with Kno-Ho-Co
By Marianne Austin
Initially , Standing Oaks of East Central Ohio ( Isaiah 61:1-3 ), a nonprofit faithbased organization associated with the Homeless Coalition , was planning to create a transitional homeless shelter in the county by purchasing land to build a shelter or renovating an existing building . With the purchase of the Hickory Street Shelter by Kno-Ho- Co , their goal is the same , but the game plan has changed .
Kathy Robbins of Standing Oaks said , “ We are in the process of how we can help them in their endeavor . Right now we don ’ t know what that will look like . We have had two meetings : one face to face and one Zoom . We are still in the early stages . I am so grateful they have purchased it . It ’ s better when people can work together . I look at this as having the same goal . With Kno-Ho- Co , they will have a facility that is fully staffed instead of volunteer supported .”
Opening a shelter is a major undertaking .
“ They bought the property , and it will probably be next summer before the Hickory Street Shelter is ready ,” Robbins said . “ These are the early days . We support Hickory Street and want to help them in any way we can . Grace United Methodist Church has been instrumental with Standing Oaks as well . We do this for the glory of God . We want to get people rooted and established and working together , so how can we fail ? We want to support and help people .”
Standing Oaks is collecting personal hygiene products , nonperishable food and blankets through Shepherds Church on Main Street , The Salvation Army and First Baptist Church on Chestnut Street , and monetary donations can be made at Century National Bank .
For more information on how to help , call 740- 221-0195 .
The Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Emergency Shelter Program provides temporary housing to individuals or families that find themselves in a homeless situation . The goal is to alleviate the plague of homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services so clients can acquire decent , safe and affordable housing .