Over the weekend, Hope Haven in DeKalb, an organization that provides services for homeless individuals and families, experienced an outpouring of donations. It came after reports circulated online about a local family in need of emergency housing. Executive Director Lesly Wicks spoke with WNIJ News Director Jenna Dooley about the community’s response.
WICKS: Well, we heard mostly from the community. I know community members were really concerned. We saw things on Facebook, so we went there to see what the issue was and what the needs of the family were. And there were three adults and 13 children, aged one to 15. So obviously, even though we were full at the shelter, we're not going to let a family with all of those children stay outside. So we brought them in, and now we're 20 beds over capacity, so we're quite crowded. But again, the need is there, and we have to accommodate it.
HOST: What would you like people to know about what you need at that moment?
WICKS: We had an abundance of support over the weekend. Hundreds of people responded all weekend long, all day, all night, 2 o'clock in the morning. People were bringing food and supplies and kid supplies and bedding. So, for the immediate needs, we know, we have all of our needs met. However, the family of 13 is not going to move out anytime soon. So I guess we're worried about ongoing needs, and we're going to post some needs for the children, as far as clothing and school supplies, but for ongoing needs, maybe canned goods — something that we can store. We don't have a lot of refrigerator space, so the goods would be wonderful. Maybe ongoing diapers, things that we're going to use on a constant basis, and also financial support. I always hate to ask for financial support, but the reality is, we know what the needs are, and it's going to be long term, not only for this family but the other 20-plus beds that we've added in the last month.
HOST: What are some of the resources that Hope Haven is connecting this family with?
WICKS: Family Service Agency helped get the family connected to the homeless liaison for the school district so all the children are registered for school. We're making sure that they have clothes and school supplies and shoes. We'll make sure that they get health checkups to make sure there are no obvious health needs that need to be taken care of right now.
The kindness of this community was just amazing. I think I put the post out for maybe an hour, and we literally had hundreds of people responding. People brought air mattresses, twin beds, blankets, pillows. Someone brought in 17 brand-new pillows that they went and bought, so nobody slept on the floor. Everyone had something to eat. There are donuts and cereal and juice for the morning, which is a real treat. Again, this is going to be an ongoing need for not only this family but the other children. We have 27 children in the shelter right now, so those are their ongoing needs. Feminine products are ongoing needs.
