On today’s episode of The “Center”, we will be joined by Shannon Sander-Welzien, Executive Director of the YWCA in Clinton Iowa, and Michelle Plasschaert, the YWCA’s Empowerment Center Director for a discussion about the proposed Supportive Housing program that the team at the YWCA has developed for Clinton, Iowa.
Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based housing intervention that significantly reduces returns to jail and homelessness, reliance on emergency health services, and improves overall quality of life for those who participate in this type of program. According to the YWCA, in Clinton County, 1 in 3 people are at risk of homelessness due to poverty, and this has only increased with the impact of COVID-19. YWCA Clinton operates under the Housing First Model. Housing First is an evidence-based homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness, and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. The Supportive Housing Initiative proposed by the YWCA will provide a wider breadth of opportunity for the YWCA to provide solutions for vulnerable populations within Clinton and Jackson counties; complementing the services that the YWCA already provides to our neighbors facing homelessness.
This week’s podcast will focus on some of the talking points for the Clinton YWCA’s Supportive Housing Project, including information about the updated location for the proposed project, who the project will serve, the importance of the grant and other funding that has been received for this project, and the long-term benefits that this project will provide to the community of Clinton, IA.
After listening, if you’re interested in supporting the YWCA’s Supportive Housing Project, there are two ways that you can help out. The first is to contact your city council person to express your support. Also, on November 14th there will be a board meeting for the City Council. At this time the City Council will go into a public hearing for the YWCA’s Supportive Housing project, and members of the greater Clinton Community will be able to speak. After all public addresses, Clinton’s City Council will vote on the new proposed site for this Supportive Housing Project. Our listeners are encouraged to make a statement in support of this project; however, if making a statement goes beyond your comfort level, you are invited to stand in support of this project by being present at this meeting.
Additional Resources:
Visit the Clinton YWCA’s Supportive Housing Initiative Website at:
https://ywcaclinton.org/empowerment-center/supportive-housing-initiative/