Community meeting planned on homelessness in Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) A community meeting has been scheduled to find out what more can be done to help homeless families in Clarksville-Montgomery County. The meeting, which is open to the public, is Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 435 Madison Street.

Representatives with the group Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization for children and families facing homelessness, will attend the meeting. There are 202 affiliates in 42 states and the upcoming meeting will determine the local support for a Family Promise program in Clarksville.

One of the local organizers working with Family Promise, Robert “Bubba” Burchett, talked about what has led up to the meeting. “There is a group here in Clarksville that has been looking at the needs that we have for children and families that are homeless,” said Burchett.

Burchett added that there is a big need and there just aren’t enough facilities available. He said there are some rooms but just not enough to keep up with current needs.

Families with children make up about 40 percent of the people who experience homelessness, according to Burchett.

Family Promise is a group that helps start shelters or day centers in communities that will help families with children. “Their mission is to help homeless and low income families achieve sustainable independence through a community based response,” Burchett said.

Another member of the group organizing the Family Promise session, Debbie Bates, said she would like for everyone to come to the meeting. “It will take up about an hour of your time, it will be informative, and there will be a question and answer session. We need as many volunteers as possible to come and learn about how we can help the homeless in our community,” said Bates.

To learn more about how you, your church, civic organization, social service agency, or business can help with the problem of homelessness in Clarksville-Montgomery County, plan to be at First Baptist Church, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. For more details call 931-624-2647.