FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2000
Contact: Karen Roper
(714) 834-3355
250 Emergency Shelter
Beds Become Available Tomorrow
(Santa Ana) –
The County’s cold weather emergency shelter program
begins tomorrow and will operate through March 31. The
Good Samaritan Church of Westminster will house the homeless
December 1 through December 3. The program moves to the
Santa Ana and Fullerton National Guard Armories on December
4.
The 2000/2001 Emergency Shelter Program will offer hot
meals, showers, a safe place to sleep, shelter from the
winter, clothing and many other services to approximately
250 homeless individuals and families each night. To provide
these services, the County contracts with a nonprofit
organization (Shelter for the Homeless) which is responsible
for the daily operation of the winter program.
“The County’s Emergency Shelter Armory program
is a model public/private partnership. Throughout the
winter program, County agencies will work hand in hand
with nonprofit agencies, churches and numerous volunteers
to provide critical shelter and needed services to many
of Orange County’s homeless,” said Chuck Smith,
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
“Traditionally known for providing only food and
shelter for the homeless, the County’s goal is to
enhance the services provided at the armories to address
the issues that cause homelessness. Since people become
homeless for a number of different reasons, we prepare
a variety of services to offer,” said Karen Roper,
County Coordinator for Homeless Prevention and Related
Programs.
Agencies involved in the Armory Program include the County’s
Executive Office, Housing & Community Development,
Sheriff-Coroner Department, Health Care Agency, Social
Services Agency, Community Services Agency, City of Santa
Ana, City of Fullerton, Shelter for the Homeless, Mental
Health Association of Orange County, Orange County Rescue
Mission, Shelter & Hunger Partnership, Public Law
Center and Info Link Orange County. Many donations from
other non-profit organizations, churches and individuals
add to the available resources.
For more information, contact Karen Roper at (714) 834-3355
or visit the County’s website at www.oc.ca.gov (click
on Homeless Prevention).
Legal