Lawrence Open Shelter, Inc. • 944 Kentucky Street • Lawrence, KS 66044^. 785.832.0040

City Commission November 3, 2004

City of Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Mayor Rundle and Members of the Lawrence City Commission:

The Lawrence Open Shelter, Inc. (LOS), located at 944 Kentucky, respectfully requests the renewal of the Use Permitted upon Review (UPR) granted to it in 2003 by the Lawrence City Commission. That UPR was issued effective December 8, 2003 for a term of one year. We are now before you requesting a five-year UPR.

The Lawrence Open Shelter believes it has honored the faith the Commission extended to it to provide an open shelter to the homeless of the entire Lawrence community. While operating continuously for the past 11 months, LOS has provided 6,442 bed nights (total number of beds used each night since opening) to 235 different individuals. A statistical and program report of the LOS operation is attached. LOS services have extended a secure night to the homeless of our community during inclement weather and an evening meal usually prepared by volunteers from across the city. Local support for LOS has also been shown by financial gifts from individuals, churches, and other organizations.

The experienced LOS supervisory staff enforces shelter rules designed to keep major problems from arising. LOS believes it has a good working relationship with local law enforcement officials and, through its membership in the Oread Neighborhood Association, strives to maintain good neighborhood relations.

The City Commission's goal of serving all of Lawrence's citizens and its concern about the needs of the homeless are evidenced by the creation and workings of the Task Force on Homeless Services. LOS hopes it is helping the Commission meet these goals.

Not all of the individuals seeking a secure night's rest are able to fmd it. Therefore, LOS is considering the possibility of expandⁱng its capacity up to an additional ten guests. It is understood that your approval for expansion is required and that all city code provisions must be met to do this. LOS has sought city staff guidance on this procedure and is requesting the Commission approve this expansion as part of the UPR renewal.

It is anticipated that the matter of this five-year UPR renewal for the Lawrence Open Shelter will be placed before a regular meeting of the Commission where LOS representatives would be present to answer any questions or comments.

Respectively,

Loring Henderson Director

Enclosures: Certified list of property owners within 200 ft of 944 Kentucky

2004 Statistical and Program Report (11 months)

Neighborhood Letters (Please note: additional letters from the Lawrence Catholic School, the First Christian Church, the Oread Neighborhood Association, and other interested neighborhood individuals and organizations have been or are being submitted directly to the attention of Linda Finger, Director of Planning)

Lawrence Open Shelter, Inc. (LOS)
Eleven Months Statistical Report — December 2003 through October 2004

740 guests (duplicated count) 235 guests (unduplicated count) 328 nights

592 men (80%)

148 women (20 %)

98 veterans (13 %)

ethnic/racial groups
Caucasian	411	55%
Native American	175	24%
African American	125	17%
Hispanic	29	4%
	740	100%

6,442 guest nights eleven months

20 guests per night average over eleven months 7,158 total guest nights projected for 2004

LRH 11/02/03

Lawrence Open Shelter, Inc. (LOS)
Programs

After being in operation nearly a year in its present, permanent location and after operating short-term shelters during the past two years, the Lawrence Open Shelter has come to its own unique program based on its experience and consultation with other shelters in Boulder, Seattle, Topeka, and Kansas City. LOS is working to address the needs of its guests, within the framework of the LOS mission statement, in the following areas. These categories of needs and interests are based on the concept of the wellness program used in many hospitals and educational facilities throughout the country.

2004 Program Areas and Accomplishments

Physical Needs

Health Fair with several community health agencies participating; LOS will receive flu shots in October Referrals and transportation to the health department, Heartland Clinic, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital Serving an evening meal donated and prepared outside LOS by volunteer individuals and businesses Guests are encouraged to go to detox and rehab programs and are transported to the location Guests are offered an incentive program giving reserved spaces to guests who help with tasks at the

shelter, who are working, or who attend the Wednesday night roundtable discussions.

Emotional Needs

Assisting guests through connection to the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center homeless outreach staff person and other Bert Nash, DCCC A, and state facilities

Working with social workers at collaborating agencies in Lawrence -- Community Drop In Center, Women's Transitional Care Services, The Salvation Army,

Spiritual Needs

AA meetings Tuesday and Friday mornings and other AA meetings in Lawrence Several ministers are on the LOS Advisory Board and are available to visit the shelter Several churches and schools provide meals, toiletries, volunteers, and fmancial support

Educational

Speakers on housing, jobs, health, security, building respectful relationships, and other topics lead roundtable discussions with LOS guests every Wednesday evening

Special educational events are held as appropriate, such as an all guests meeting on TB, its symptoms, treatments, and procedures in an environment like LOS.

Voter registration for homeless people was offered at LOS

Social

Crafts are made by the guests for people in the community who help the shelter

Guests are provided incentives to help at the shelter and grow in responsibility

Through guest meetings, daily tasks, the suggestion box, and general conversations the guests are encouraged to feel ownership in the shelter

Birthdays are celebrated once a month for all guests born in that month. Everyone gets a card and a cake is shared

Holidays are recognized with decorations and particular food, as available

Summertime conversations and music are shared in the evening on the LOS patio

LOS guests who write poetry or short stories contribute to the LOS newsletter and to the Coalition for Homeless Concerns newspaper for the homeless

LOS guests who play the guitar and write poetry were invited to provide music and read at the reception at the Arts Center to open the Kansas Statewide Summit on the Homeless in October in Lawrence