SSM Health presented a check of $12,000 to Family Life Church for the construction of their homeless shelter. The shelter is currently under construction at 12580 N. Sparrow Ln. in Mt. Vernon near RP Lumber and is estimated for completion this fall. The facility has the capacity to house up to 60 residents and will be a 24/7 year-round shelter. People that come through the doors at the current cooling/warming center are usually those that have lost hope or have come into some hard times. Many of them are needing practical things like a job, and identification like birth certificates or social security cards. Many are veterans who need to be connected with the resources available to them.
“It’s not just the donation but it’s the partnership because we work a lot with SSM. Whenever they have somebody that’s in their facility that doesn’t have somewhere to go, we sometimes get them. They are sent to us,” stated Kent Jackson, Pastor at Family Life Church. “This isn’t just SSM writing us a check, which we are thankful for, but what we are really excited about is the partnership coming together to really help people get healed, get on their feet, and come to a good healthy place in life.”
Jackson continued, “SSM Health employees have held donation drives in the past, providing food and much needed supplies. Our hope with the donation is that Family Life is able to see out its vision and help successfully house the community members that really need them. I love partnering with people whose genuine vision is to bring a service to the community that will make an impact. We are happy to be a part of that and help them to facilitate it.”
“For me, it’s about having stability and these securities like a place to sleep and where you are going to eat. Just having those vital components to really thrive is something that everyone deserves and is a part of human rights,” states Julie Robertson-Brooks, SSM Health Community Health Regional Manager. “By supporting the shelter, we are hoping to bridge the gap in the insecurities of our community.”
(L to R): John Snodsmith, SSM Health Regional VP of Finance; Julie Robertson-Brooks, SSM Health Regional Community Health Manager; Hollie Colle, SSM Health Regional Director of Operations; Kent Jackson, Family Life Church Pastor; Monica Heinzman, SSM Health Regional Director of Ancillary Services; Damon Harbison, SSM Health Good Samaritan & St. Mary’s Hospital President.
