2024 ANNUAL REPORT
CLINTON COUNTY SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS
After 30 years of dedicated service, Denise Stryker retired from her role at the shelter. She was succeeded by Amber Taylor, who brings 18 years of valuable experience to the organization. Amber’s leadership and expertise will continue to guide the shelter in fulfilling its mission and advancing its initiatives in the years ahead.
As part of the shelter’s ongoing commitment to facility improvements, a beautification project was undertaken at the Pastor Elizabeth Looney Men’s Shelter. Led by Tom Matrka, Mark Matrka, and the Matrka team, the exterior of the men’s shelter was repainted to align with the design of the adjacent furniture building. This collaborative initiative has significantly enhanced the shelter’s exterior, contributing to a more cohesive and inviting environment for residents and the community.
The shelter is guided by a dedicated board of nine volunteer members, who meet monthly to oversee organizational operations and make key decisions that ensure the continued success of our programs and services for those in need. The annual meeting is held in January.
The shelter is supported by a dedicated team of three full-time and four part-time staff members. In addition, both current and former residents play an integral role in the shelter’s operations by volunteering their time. These individuals contribute to fundraising events, serve on the Resident Advisory Committee, assist with property maintenance, and offer support wherever needed.
The shelter provided vital administrative support and grant opportunities to the Clinton County Coalition on Homelessness, which made the strategic decision to become an independent nonprofit organization. Grant funds secured for the Coalition were utilized to help cover startup costs. We are proud to report that the Coalition has officially achieved nonprofit status and is now recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization by the IRS. The shelter continues to maintain an active, participatory role in supporting the Coalition’s mission and initiatives in the year 2025.
The shelter collaborates with Vantage, an organization that employs adults aged 55 and older. Through this partnership, shelter staff provide training and supervision to Vantage employees, who contribute an average of 20 hours per week. Their support is invaluable, as they assist with tasks such as accepting and organizing donations, helping visitors to the Food Pantry and Molly Frances Donation House, managing inventory, cleaning, and answering phones. This collaboration strengthens the shelter’s operations while offering meaningful employment opportunities for older adults in the community.
In 2024, the shelter was fortunate to welcome over 50 volunteers from Wilmington College. These dedicated students contributed their time and effort to a variety of tasks and projects, significantly supporting the day-to-day operations of the shelter.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of local churches, businesses, service organizations, the United Way, and individual donors. This community support is essential to the shelter’s operations, and we are confident that our ability to serve those in need would not be possible without it.
The shelter’s ability to assist those in need is supported by funding from various sources, including grants. In 2023, we applied for a two-year grant through The Ohio Development Services Agency’s Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP) Emergency Shelter Grant. In December 2023, we were pleased to learn that our application was approved for $234,000, which will significantly aid our ongoing efforts to provide essential services to those experiencing homelessness.
The Mental Health Recovery Board has provided invaluable support through a new employee incentive program aimed at improving employee retention. This initiative allows the shelter to offer small anniversary bonuses and additional paid time off (PTO) to both full-time and part-time employees, recognizing their dedication and fostering a positive work environment.
In September, Real Change Wilmington hosted a fundraiser on behalf of the shelter at the Corn Festival. All proceeds from the event, totaling $1,000, were donated to the shelter and designated for the Resident Advisory Committee.
Collaboration with Region-16 and the continued success of the Rapid Rehousing Program remained a key focus in 2024. The case manager from Fayette County worked closely with our residents, as well as individuals from the community referred by our Access Point Coordinator, to provide essential support and resources aimed at securing stable housing. In 2024, Rapid Rehousing services were provided for 45 households.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Rapid Rehousing Program will operate with a new approach, focusing on prioritization based on the needs of residents or individuals. The RRH case manager will manage a caseload of five families or individuals, selected each month through a prioritization meeting. This process will be based on VI-SPDAT scores, with assessments administered by shelter staff or the Access Point Coordinator.