fall 2008

Dear Friends:

This fall my oldest son started his senior year in high school. It seems like only yesterday he would come to the shelter after school until he was old enough to go home alone. He would work in the shelter and do activities with the kids whose parents were homeless. He asked some really tough questions of me about why were there so many homeless kids, why was it taking so long for someone to get a home, why wasn’t there more help! I get very sentimental about things right now, probably because I know things are changing for him and for The Other Place.

As I look back over his school years, I can’t help but think about my 13 years here at The Other Place (TOP) as well. I started here at the time he was beginning school. Back then, TOP was just a small day shelter serving about 45 people each day in an old car dealership building on Main Street . There were just a few staff members, and we worked hard to meet the needs of the homeless. Things were simple back then.

Since those days, my little boy and TOP have both grown in remarkable ways. TOP isn’t just a shelter any more. Over the years we’ve added programs to meet the needs of adults and families at all points along the spectrum of homelessness. Our prevention program works with low-income households to keep them out of the shelter system. Our street outreach program – “Operation Charlie” – works with those who are unwilling or unable to come to the shelter for help. And our supportive housing programs serve those who have moved from homelessness to housing, but who need ongoing support to remain stably housed.  

Next summer, as my son prepares to head off to college, TOP will be making a major transition as well. Our community’s new Gateway Shelter System will be in place with two separate 24-hour shelter facilities – one for single men and one for single women and families. TOP will be the on-site provider of case management services at both locations, and St. Vincent de Paul will manage overnight shelter and facility operations. We have already taken a first step in this new direction by moving our day shelter services into the St. Vincent Hotel. If you would like to learn more about these changes, visit our website at www.theotherplace.org or call us at (937) 293-1945.

I’d like to think my son is always going to need me, just like TOP will always need you. And in today’s economy, our need for your financial support has never been greater. We are making real progress toward our vision of a community where there is no homelessness, and we hope that you will continue to be a partner in our efforts.

Respectfully,

Tina M. Patterson

Tina M. Patterson
Executive Director

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