Wednesday, Welcome House of Northern Kentucky hosted a celebratory ribbon-cutting in Covington, to launch its new Medical RV to serve the homeless population around Northern Kentucky.
Welcome House received a funding grant from Impact 100 in the amount of $104,000 in 2018.
The grant allowed Welcome House to purchase a mobile outreach vehicle, medical equipment, and various food and hygiene supplies.
Currently, a majority of medical and service coordination services are being provided at shelters, street corners, parks, and encampments.
Programs at Welcome House address the variety of needs of those living in poverty or on the verge of homelessness.
In 2017, Welcome House expanded their services to include homeless street outreach.
The homeless outreach team, called Open Door, is composed of three members – a Kenton County/Campbell County Outreach Worker, a Boone County Outreach Worker, and a Registered Nurse. Holistic street outreach has not previously been achieved in our region and the program is unique because it not only addresses finding housing, but also physical and mental health needs for the homeless.
“We know there are many individuals and families who are homeless living outside urban areas who do not have transportation to medical and service coordination offered in urban settings,” said Danielle Amrine, CEO of Welcome House. “It was from this knowledge that Open Door was launched.”
Until Open Door launched there were no mobile clinics in the Greater Cincinnati Region that offered both service coordination and healthcare services. In 2018, Open Door anticipates serving 200 homeless individuals in Northern Kentucky with medical and/or service coordination.
“By meeting people in the communities where they live, we will help get clients housed and employed, reduce unnecessary criminal justice intervention, and reduce emergency medical system involvement – saving taxpayer funds, said Amrine.. “Our project not only serves our clients, but the Northern Kentucky Community as a whole. We are extremely thankful to Impact 100 for entrusting Welcome House with this grant which will have a lasting impact on our community”
Welcome House of Northern Kentucky has been serving the community since 1982, providing a continuum of services that end homelessness and promote stability for each person they serve.
Programs at Welcome House address the variety of needs of those living in poverty or on the verge of homelessness. Welcome House strives to guide clients from housing uncertainty to stability. For more information about Welcome House click here.
Congratulations on the new medical RV. What a great way to reach those who would normally go without services. Keep up the good work Welcome House of Northern Kentucky
Robert Buttrey