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A Cooperative Ministry of Logan County
Churches and Agencies

History of the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter

     The Lighthouse Emergency shelter was established in 2002 by the Lewistown-Trinity UMC to meet the needs of the homeless in Logan County.  After the merger of Lewistown UMC and Lakeview Trinity UMC, we had an "extra" church building to use for ministry.  In the past we had many requests to provide housing for the homeless, and were led to open an emergency shelter.  Initially people literally laughed at our vision - but by the grace of God, the one unit shelter was opened at the former Trinity UMC in Lakeview.  From 2002 to 2007, the Lighthouse Outreach Center Emergency Shelter provided shelter an average of over 180 days per year to men, women and children. 

     In 2007, the Trinity building was sold and we began the process of finding a new "home" for the shelter.  After making our needs known to the Logan County Commissioners, a Logan County owned duplex home (scheduled for demolition) was made available for lease. 

     Realizing that LTUMC could no longer handle this ministry alone, we solicited other churches and organizations to partner with us in operating the shelter.  Several churches and organizations have now partnered with LTUMC to form the Logan County Homeless Shelter, Inc. dba The Lighthouse Emergency Shelter.  The Shelter has now expanded to two units that can accomodate up to six people each.

     Praise be to Almighty God for bringing these churches and organizations together to meet the needs of those who find themselves temporarily homeless. 

PLEASE READ BEFORE CALLING

CONTACT NUMBERS: 

8:00 am - 8:00 pm 7 days:

Kim Collum: 937-592-9914

After Hours (8:00 pm - 8:00 am):
Send those in need of shelter to the Bellefontaine Police Department.  There, after a background check, they will be given a voucher for one (1) night of lodging at the Super 8 Motel.  Instruct them to call the next day at the above numbers from 8 am - 8pm.

BASIC REFERRAL INFORMATION

1.  The Lighthouse Emergency Shelter is a TEMPORARY shelter serving clients on a first come – first served basis.  The length of stay is limited to 14 days.  Please inform the client(s) of the 14 day limit.*

2.  The Lighthouse Emergency Shelter DOES NOT provide transportation to or from the shelter.

3.  All clients age 18 years or older MUST submit to a background check conducted by the Logan County Sheriff or the Bellefontaine Police and agree to release the information to the Shelter staff.*  A government issued photo ID is also required.  (There is no cost to the client(s) for the background check.)

4.  Individuals convicted of:  a violent felony or ANY (misdemeanor or felony) sexual offense or physical and/or sexual abuse of children are NOT permitted to stay at the Shelter for the safety of the staff and community.*  

5.  Individuals with a communicable disease (such as, but not limited to, tuberculosis) are NOT permitted to stay at the Shelter.*

6.  All clients must agree to abide by the Shelter rules/regulations and staff orders.  This includes a daily inspection of the shelter facilities.  Failure to comply with rules/regulations/staff will result in immediate eviction. 

7.  Pets are NOT permitted in the Shelter or on the Shelter property.  Violation will result in immediate eviction. 

8.  The Shelter is an alcohol/drug/smoke/firearm free facility.  Violation will result in immediate eviction.  (Smoking is permitted OUTSIDE the shelter.  Possession of alcohol/drugs/ firearms on property is prohibited.)

9.  Visitors are NOT permitted in the Shelter at any time.  (Exception: Shelter authorized visitors, e.g., Social Service worker.) 

10. The Shelter currently consists of two units that can accommodate up to 6 persons in each family or group.  The Shelter does not put “strangers” together in one unit.

11. The shelter is equipped with a wireless “panic button” (one per unit) to summon an immediate response from local law enforcement agencies and is suitable for LOW-RISK domestic violence cases.

12. Any client(s) planning to stay more than two (2) days at the shelter MUST agree to work with a social service agency to work on acquiring whatever is needed to move the client(s) into more permanent housing.

13. The Shelter business hours are 8 am to 8 pm 7 days a week. AFTER HOURS: Please refer the client(s) to the Bellefontaine Police Department office.  There, after a background check, they will be given a voucher for ONE night of lodging at the Super 8 Motel  Then call the contact number(s) the next day between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.  (Please note that ONLY ONE night of lodging will be provided at the Super 8.  NO Exceptions.)

14. Admission to the Shelter is scheduled at the convenience of the Staff.  (Please note that ALL Shelter staff members are volunteers.)

15. Detailed Shelter policies/procedures/rules/regulations are available upon request.

*These are requirements of both the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter AND the City of Bellefontaine zoning permit.