Mid-Year Impact Report
We are proud to share our mid-year impact report, which highlights the incredible progress we’ve made:
- 495 unique individuals served at our shelter since January.
- 17 guests and counting have successfully transitioned to stable housing.
- 19,660 bed nights served across all shelter programs.
- 20,142 meals provided, ensuring that our daytime guests have the nutrition they need to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives.
Guest Stories
Meet Bobbie: “Being displaced is not something you plan for. I finally have my life back. Having a home means everything. I didn’t realize today would feel so touching. I’m so excited! I have a kitchen! It’s been so long since I got to cook for myself. I’m excited to enjoy the balcony. To have my own space, to have more than just a small tote with my whole life packed in it.”
Meet Jack: “I grew up on a farm, so I always worked on the farm. My favorite thing was just being there with my family. Just trying to make a life, that’s all. Trying to make it a good life. It’s nice when you have a roof over your head, you can put stuff in your icebox, you can go out and do your routines during the day. When it’s all snatched away from you, it’s no fun. Having your own lock and key really makes a difference.”
Meet Renae & Jason: “Everyone has a story and anybody can fall into a category. We’ve been there for each other through everything we went through, and we’ve gotten through this together. Being housed means everything. Getting our dog back, getting our life back. It will be nice to wake up again in a house of our own. To have our own shower, our own kitchen. It will mean stability. A fresh start.”
In the fight against homelessness, nutritious food is the first step toward recovery and hope. At the Lawrence Community Shelter, we’ve been working tirelessly to enhance our shelter space and improve the quality of our services. As someone with over 20 years of experience in homeless services, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to address the fundamental needs of our guests.
Thanks to increased public funding, we’ve been able to cover our staffing needs and grow our capacity to serve more people. Our staff now receive a living wage, helping us retain and train dedicated team members. This support has been transformative, allowing us to maintain a high-capacity shelter with staff ready to assist our guests. However, we still rely heavily on donations to meet essential needs, including hygiene products and, most critically, nutritious food.
One of our most significant improvements has been hiring a full kitchen crew, which has revolutionized our meal services. Currently, we provide three meals daily for 50 people at the Village and 30 people in our Housing Program. However, we are running out of food for those receiving overnight services, and it is heartbreaking to see people go to bed on an empty stomach.
On average, it takes $11,000 to feed people for a month at the shelter, which is less than $5 a day per person. Donate today to help us feed our guests in the night by night program.
How You Can Help
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate Online: Visit our website and make a secure donation.
- Mail a Check: Send your contribution to our address.
- Spread the Word: Share our campaign with friends and family.
Your support means the world to us and the people we serve. We couldn’t do this work without the generosity of donors like you. Thank you for your dedication and partnership. Let’s keep the momentum going as we strive to make a lasting impact. Together, we can provide hope and a brighter future for everyone at the Lawrence Community Shelter.
Sincerely,
James Chiselom
Executive Director
Lawrence Community Shelter
A Note From Chuck
I’m Chuck Magerl, a Lawrence Community Shelter Board member, and owner of Free State Brewery and WheatFields Bakery in downtown Lawrence. I’ve been involved in the food business in Lawrence for fifty years. Serving meals is an act of gratitude that is a source of renewal every day.
I hope you’ll support the Lawrence Community Shelter as we continue to address the challenges of the need in our community. The staff are dedicated and compassionate, always going above and beyond to support our guests. Anyone can reach out to request a meeting, tour, or speaker. Get to know us! Our staff are always happy to connect with people in the community and show the incredible work being done here.
Please join our giving circle today and help us make a difference for people experiencing homelessness.
Sincerely,
Chuck Magerl
LCS Board Member
Owner of Free State Brewery and WheatFields Bakery