As part of National Homeless Awareness Month, the Alger Marquette Continuum of Care (AMCoC) will host a public event aimed at raising awareness of homeless families and individuals in Marquette and Alger Counties. The event is being held in the Community Room at Peter White Public Library on Tuesday November 12, 2013 from 9:30am to 11:30 am. It is free and the public is encouraged to attend. The AMCoC is comprised of numerous and varied service agencies, businesses and formerly homeless individuals. The coalition is working throughout Alger and Marquette Counties as part of Michigan’s statewide plan to end homelessness in Michigan by 2016. As part of that effort, the Alger Marquette CoC gathered data on our local homeless population and will present their data on the 12th.
Of note, there were 815 homeless individuals in 2012 of which 129 were children having an average age of 8 years old. According to Sharon Kivikko, Executive Director of the Marquette Housing Commission, “We’re finally seeing objective evidence and data to support what we’ve known for some time. There’s a strong need for more quality affordable housing in our region. Many of our homeless are working poor. They need jobs paying wages to support the cost of basic housing.” She continued, “The film and our data will permanently change the way people see our local homeless population.”
During the public event, the AMCoC will premier a short documentary created by Josh LeClair with Christin Flavin, “Homeless…. leaving the wilderness”. The inaugural Helen McCormick award will be presented to a volunteer in recognition of extraordinary service to the homeless community. The award is named in honor of Helen McCormick whose vision and dedication to the service of homeless individuals fostered the creation of Room at the Inn. Those seeking more information are urged to contact Amy Lerlie, Housing Services Director for Alger Marquette Community Action Board (AMCAB) by phoning (906) 228-6522 x 350 or by e-mail at ahlerlie@amcab.org or Sharon Kivikko, Executive Director, Marquette Housing Commission by phoning (906) 226-7559 x 4 or by e-mailing skivikko@mqthc.org.
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