By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimist Club
Debbie Savage, Executive Director of the Fresh Start Emergency Shelter, served as the keynote speaker for the JC Breakfast Optimist Club meeting on Wednesday.
She told the Optimists that she was a volunteer at Breaking Bread and helped serve meals to those in need. Savage later became a member of the Fresh Start Board and is now their Executive Director.
“In 2022 Fresh Start worked with businesses, organizations, groups and individuals to Adopt-A- Room in the facility at 136 W. Third Street in Junction City to provide emergency temporary shelter for the homeless. The facility opened in February 2024 and by August 23 there were 23 homeless people using the facility. Originally rooms were separated for families, men and women. As the number of homeless men grew, it was necessary to adjust the room assignments.”
Savage also stated that she “serves as the case manager for individuals who come to the shelter. There are two paid staff and two volunteers who work with clients to get the laundry done, make meals, help get a Driver’s License and/or Birth Certificate, counsel, provide transportation to appointments and serve those who come to the Shelter as needed. The maximum number of days a homeless person can stay at the shelter is 90 days. The Shelter is only open during the day. However, we are in the planning stage to be able to serve those in need during the night – especially with the colder weather coming. Some of the clients have mental illness while others are dealing with job loss or divorce and are in transition to getting their lives back together. People need a safe place, a place to sleep and food.”
The Fresh Start Emergency Shelter receives funds from donations and from the United Way and volunteers are needed. For more information, contact Debbie Savage at 785-390-0102.