Housing Insecurity: Emergency Christian Ministries aims to provide a ‘hand up, not a hand out’

As we have already seen in the initial entries in this special series, there are many different factors that contribute to the problems of housing insecurity and homelessness. Because of that fact, there is no magic bullet that can fix things and no one individual is going to have all the answers.

Emergency Christian Ministries is a homeless shelter in Williamsburg that aims to get people back towards a path of self-sustainability, according to Director Susan Jett. Since 2021, the shelter has been completely renovated.

But we can all do something.

In the case of Susan Jett, director of the Emergency Christian Ministries (ECM) homeless shelter in Williamsburg, the goal is to help guide as many people as possible back toward self-sustainability. It is a big job, but it is one that she feels called to take on.

“I really feel like God put this job, and this ministry, in my lap,” said Jett, who has served as the director at ECM since 2021. “I was not educated for this, and had never done anything like it before, but it has become a passion.”

Since coming into the director job three years ago, Jett and her colleagues at the shelter have done a lot of work to update the facility. “Everything is new but the brick,” she said explaining that the City of Williamsburg and the Whitley County Fiscal Court helped to kickstart the repairs back in 2021 by providing funds that were used to replace the roof. Since that time, the rooms have been remodeled, the kitchen has been upgraded and the commons area has been added onto in order to make it more family-friendly.

In addition to support from the local community, including individuals, businesses and churches, ECM depends on grant funding in order to continue operations. Since late last year, the shelter has operated an on-site thrift store that sells gently used clothing and household items for a low cost. This new venture has been very successful so far, and currently accounts for another large chunk of the shelter’s budget, but Jett said that more customers are needed, as well as additional volunteer workers.

Getting back to the day-to-day goal at ECM, Jett said, “We’re here for anyone who finds themselves homeless.”

Jett explained that a person, any person, could potentially find themselves in that difficult situation, and that the reasons always vary. Many times it is related to poor decisions involving drugs, but sometimes a divorce may be to blame. Other times, it could be problems that arise from a mental or physical disability of some type.

Regardless of the individual person’s backstory, Jett said that the one common thread is usually the fact that there is no family support. That, or if there is family, those family members are in no position to offer any kind of meaningful assistance.

Jett clearly understands that the people coming to her shelter seeking help are going through difficult times, but she also understands the difference between granting someone a handout and helping them to get back on their feet.

“It is not just a bunch of drug addicts or lazy people up here,” she said. “I do make them get a job if they are physically able, and they feel better when they do that.”

Before a person is ever admitted to the shelter, Jett will typically speak to them on the phone. By asking certain questions, she can typically gauge if it is a person who is truly needing the help that ECM can provide. If things work out from there, a face-to-face meeting will be scheduled to discuss next steps.

“I will have them share their life stories at intake,” Jett said. “It is a volunteer thing, but most will agree to do it. I hear about a lot of really difficult situations.”

Jett asks a few basic things of anyone who is accepted. First, as previously mentioned, if the person is physically able, then they will be expected to seek employment. Once they find a job and earn their first paycheck, they will be asked to contribute $50 per month. This money is used mostly to help cover the cost of utilities at the shelter.

In addition to the expectation of trying to find work, Jett asks that all current residents help out by taking on at least one chore. They must keep their rooms clean, and no pets are admitted.

“I am here to help people if they want the help,” Jett said. “We always want to give a hand up, and not a hand out. We want them to be able to get on with their lives. If I can get just two out of ten people to get a job and get back out on their own again, then I consider that a success.”

Jett and ECM have seen many success stories in recent years, but there is always an understanding that the process will look a little different for each individual person. For some it may take longer, which is fine, as long as forward progress is being made.

“As long as you are moving forward, then you can stay until you’re back on your feet,” Jett explained. “Don’t think you’re going to come up here and just sit for six months.”

If you or someone you know could use help from Emergency Christian Ministries in Williamsburg, or if you would like to get more information about how you can help their cause, including how to contribute to the ongoing operation of the thrift store, call (606) 400-1464.