Uncategorized

Case worker offers insight from decades of helping people who are homeless

Mary Frances Ford doesn’t mind saying something that offends people. “The homeless population is just like the population that I belong to and you belong to, in the sense that ‘they’re just people,’” said the case worker with 37 years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness. “When it comes down to it they’re just […]

Case worker offers insight from decades of helping people who are homeless Read More »

homeless man speaks at town hall on homelessness

Affordable housing, shelter at top of homeless needs list

There is no easy solution to homelessness.  But it will start with affordable housing and a shelter on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. That was the message from a public forum on homelessness held at Back Bay Mission in Biloxi. “What we need as a collective is more affordable housing built,” said Mary Simons, executive director

Affordable housing, shelter at top of homeless needs list Read More »

graduation from Climb CDC in Gulfport, Miss.

Gulfport woman gets stable housing, diploma instead of jail time

Jail or high school diploma? It seems like an easy decision.  Climb CDC and Open Doors Homeless Coalition made that decision easier for Keanna Penman. Penman, 20, had been in and out of jail several times on drug charges. The high-school dropout was facing a longer stretch, but the YouthBuild program at Climb Community Development

Gulfport woman gets stable housing, diploma instead of jail time Read More »

Continuum of Care coordinates agencies in ending homelessness

The Continuum of Care seeks new agencies

The Continuum of Care seeks new agencies The Mississippi Gulf Coast region’s Continuum of Care is now accepting applications for the HUD Continuum of Care Program. Open Doors Homeless Coalition encourages agencies that serve to house the unsheltered to join the Continuum of Care. Go to www.opendoorshc.org for the information under the Continuum of Care

The Continuum of Care seeks new agencies Read More »

Free Health Care for Homeless Explained

Free medical services for people experiencing homelessness are available at Coastal Family Health Center’s locations in Biloxi and Gulfport. Coastal Family Health Center was the guest presenter Thursday at the Open Doors Homeless Coalition Continuum of Care meeting. Healthcare for Homeless Outreach Coordinator Tonya Kidd explained Thursday that many people experiencing homelessness are referred to

Free Health Care for Homeless Explained Read More »