Lawrence Community Shelter Capacity Reduction

Lawrence, Kansas, August 9, 2019 – The Lawrence Community Shelter announces that due to funding challenges, it will reduce the number of guests it serves daily to 65 by September 1, 2019. We believe this is necessary to ensure those we serve have access to quality services that will help them exit homelessness. The appropriate ratio of guests and staff is critical to maintaining a safe, healthy environment that allows the staff to help our guests connect to quality services.

Guests have been informed and were given as much notice as possible, and the staff is working diligently to support guests who will be exiting to help them find alternative arrangements when possible. All guests who are part of our Family Program will remain Shelter guests. Currently we have 30 guests participating in the Family Program, leaving 35 remaining positions for individuals. 60 of our current individual guests will be exiting. Guests who are remaining have been prioritized based on their level of vulnerability. Community partners have been notified; we are working closely with them to help guests find safe alternatives and keep them connected to services. Staff who are part of the staffing reduction have also been informed.

We deeply appreciate our staff, volunteers, supporters, donors, community social service partners, the City of Lawrence, and Douglas County for their support. We remain committed to our mission: to offer save haven to individuals and families facing homelessness.

The Lawrence Community Shelter is the only emergency shelter serving families and individuals in Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas. The Shelter is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers guests three meals a day.

If you would like more information, please contact Thea Perry, Lawrence Community Shelter Board President, at (785) 550-0363 or theaperry@gmail.com.