Southern Coalition for the Homeless is celebrating 30 years
in Marion with a new location. The organization, along with its supporters, unveiled
the new location with a ribbon cutting, Thursday, May 2, 2019.
The new building located at 1009 W. Cherry St., features
multiple offices, a small kitchen for staff and a nice reception and waiting
room for clients.
“We are thrilled that we have a new building to provide
services out of,” Director for the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless,
Camille Dorris said.
The Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless’ mission is
to provide affordable housing and supportive services to the homeless and the
near homeless and to work with other groups and individuals to eliminate the causes
of homelessness in the southern 24 counties of Illinois.
According to Dorris, homelessness is a huge problem in the
southern Illinois area.
“Last year we had over 700 people that we had to turn away,
who we could not serve because of the fact that we do not have enough homes, we
do not have enough programs and things,” Dorris said.
New City of Marion Mayor, Mike Absher attended the event.
“Homelessness clearly is maybe the number one issue we face.
So I am proud of you guys for you facing it front and center and I’m proud you’ve
expanded. I’m excited for you and with you. I wish you every bit of success,”
Absher said.
Dorris thanked numerous business in the community for their generous
time and donations that have helped the organization.
“I want to thank a few people. We have had some wonderful donors…..The
[Egyptian] board certainly backs us up and helps us out in any way that they
can,” Dorris said.
For the past few years, Egyptian Board of REALTORS® has held
a Christmas Fund Drive, donating more than $3,000 each year, so families in the
S.I.C.H program can purchase Christmas gifts for their children. This past
Easter, several EBOR members stepped up and purchased Easter Eggs from EBOR’s
Young Professional Network “Get Egged by YPN” fundraiser for 10 families in the
SICH program.
“We are proud to partner with S.I.C.H in their efforts to
find homes for citizens just like us,” Egyptian Board of REALTORS® Association
Executive, Charay Palmer said.
The future is bright for the organization, according to
Dorris.
“It’s just a bright future for us I think and good things to
come,” Dorris said.
