New coalition coordinates community services in Ripley County

diane.raver@batesvilleheraldtribune.com

Dawn McReynolds realizes there are community services available for families and individuals in need, but many are well-kept secrets.

"People are slipping through the cracks. They're going hungry, not because the services aren't there .... but because of the lack of collaboration between human service agencies, churches and nonprofit organizations," she points out.

So she founded the Ripley County Coalition, in which members "develop and implement plans to accomplish the mission of helping to work together to create a successful community."

What was her motivation? "It's what I do. I care about the community .... I started a women's center in Michigan."

After moving to the Hoosier state, she met Connie DeBurger of Family Connections. "The two of us just got together .... (and) started to communicate about the issues," leading up to the coalition's first meeting in September 2008.

Now the group meets the third Tuesday about every other month at various locations throughout the county. The most recent meeting was Jan. 20 at St. John Catholic Church, Osgood.

At this gathering, attendees received information, including a pie chart of what the community's needs are as seen by coalition members. Food, money, help with medical bills, housing, emotional support, spiritual help, clothing and finding a job were at the top of the list.

McReynolds stressed the importance of looking toward the future. "Our goals are extremely important .... If we don't have them, we'll continue to go in circles."

She revealed some possible goals: "Trying to find transportation for families who need to get to WIC (Women, Infants and Children) .... They're going without (these services) because they don't have transportation."

There is also a "large homeless population .... Is there anything available for them? .... I've been told there may be some FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) trailers that aren't being used." A long-term goal may be to get some of them donated to the coalition, she stated.

Another goal is to "actually form a nonprofit organization .... I feel we can really make a difference in the community, but we need some more movers and shakers."

Representatives of various organizations outlined some of their available services so members can refer clients to them.

Julie Schaefer, LifeTime Resources, explained that Catch-A-Ride is available in Dearborn, Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties for a minimal fee. Medicaid may also pay for it, but patrons would need to check with their managed care providers.

"Almost all our vehicles are wheelchair accessible," and anyone in the seven counties can take advantage of this service. There are point deviation routes that operate within higher populated areas in an established directional route pattern, but without the usual designated bus stops since passengers are picked up at requested locations along the route and taken to their desired destinations.

For persons outside these routes, transportation is scheduled based on individual requests. However, she stressed that "9 to 10 a.m. is very busy in all counties." For more information on Catch-A-Ride, persons can call 800-330-7603.

Schaefer also indicated a 211 information service is available in most of these southeastern Indiana counties. Persons can call this number or log onto www.in211.org to acquire data about such items as food, shelter, housing, health care, employment, clothing, education and counseling.

McReynolds emphasized, "I feel as a coalition, this can really be a valuable asset."

Debbi Black, Dearborn County Clearinghouse, said this organization's first mission is food. "We help families .... (by giving them) a sack of groceries." They also provide clothing because "you cannot grow to any other level of development if you haven't met those needs."

She revealed that the association serves five counties (Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, Dearborn and Switzerland). Since its inception in 1981, churches and other service associations have pooled their resources because "we found that a family might go from one church to another" and take advantage of donations. "We wanted to stop this abusive system" and help those who really need it.

"We try to help the families that fall between the cracks, the working poor." For more information on the Dearborn County Clearinghouse, persons can call 812-926-1198.

Craig Beckley, Heart House, Aurora, announced that the goal of this rural emergency shelter is to enable individuals, who were once in crisis, to become contributing members of their communities.

It covers five counties - Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland. "We're the only shelter doing what we're doing in southeastern Indiana," he stresses.

"We are a handup organization, not a handout organization," and families and individuals are encouraged to change their lifestyles to become more productive and stable. They are "required to get a job and also have to pay program fees."

Persons can find more information about Heart House at 812-926-4890.

Organization members who would like to join the Ripley County Coalition can contact McReynolds at Sunrea727@comcast.net. The next meeting is scheduled for March 17.