By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Ellis County Bar Association on Friday donated $5,000 to First Call for Help's campaign to construct transitional housing. The program is called First Step for Help.
The nonprofit First Step building campaign is a capital campaign to raise funds to remodel and renovate the First Call building at 607 E. 13th St. to provide transitional housing and supportive services for up to six months.
The First Step gift is part of the Ellis County Bar Association’s efforts to positively impact the community by using funds raised from member dues and proceeds from the annual CLE Seminar, which the Ellis County Bar conducts in Hays. The seminar, in its 21st year, serves primarily western Kansas lawyers who are able to attain their continuing legal education without expensive travel and time away from their hometowns.
“We hope that this donation will spur other organizations in Ellis County and the surrounding area to donate to this worthy cause," said Ellis County Bar President Colton Eikenberry and Secretary-Treasurer Wendy Rohleder-Sook in a press release. “We ask that people interested in helping prevent homelessness join Ellis County lawyers by donating to the First Call project."
First Step is not an emergency homeless shelter and is intended to be used by individuals and families who will focus on success in the areas of stable employment, money management, housing stability and caring for self and family.
To qualify to live in the multi-bedroom facility, participants must be employed and drug and alcohol-free, with a budget intended to allow them to transition into permanent housing within six months.
"They are probably facing eviction about every two or three months because they have to make decisions every day on what they are going to be able to pay," Mills said. "Sometimes rent doesn't get paid, and they are facing eviction again.
"We want to help them get on their feet and get stable, save the funds that they need, increase their knowledge and skills in financial matters and decision making as far as finances are concerned."
She said the program will also provide information on renting and how to work with landlords.
Mills said she thinks participants in the program will be more successful if First Step can help them become employed, stay employed or get a better job.
The program also gives participants the opportunity to save the money they need to get off to a good start. Some landlords let renters move in with only a partial deposit, but that means the renter is behind from the start, and often never can get caught up, Mills said.
First Call has raised almost $50,000 toward its $250,000 goal for the project. A $25,000 donation from the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance was used to renovate the First Call distribution area.
Mills said First Call plans to complete the rest of the renovations in phases as funds become available.
The next phase of the project will be work on heating and plumping for the four-bedroom living area for the transitional housing program.
Information on First Step went out with the organization's annual holiday giving campaign, and Mills said the First Step program had been receiving some donations.
For more information about First Call for Help and the First Step Building Campaign or to donate click here.
You can also send donations to 607 E. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601. Please denote First Step Program on your check.