tony jeter dot com

I had some great comments on my last post concerning a new homeless shelter coming to town! A few thoughts…. Concerning the necessity of a centralized location. One of the reasons that I have been an ardent supporter of the Hop is that it would address this issue.  When our current shelter opened many years ago there was no public transportation nor any on the horizon. I remember often taking kids in my youth groups to serve meals there. It was a small and well-run operation. In my opinion it wasn’t until the shelter was taken over by the current management that things changed. Another reader made the following comment. “When run by people that are professionals in the field of homelessness they are typically unnoticeable in the neighborhood.”  Let me say I agree with this to a point. I would agree that a well-run and small shelter would have a much better chance of NOT adversely affecting the quality of life in any neighborhood. However, I would disagree that it would in any way, shape or form be “unnoticeable”. I believe that the larger a shelter grows the greater the chance of it negatively affecting the neighborhood. I have watched the new Families in Crisis women’s shelter blend in anonymously in an old mixed-use neighborhood.  So I know it can be done. But then again, it is small in scale and very well-run.  I think that the Temple area desperately needs a new shelter with a vision of helping people work through the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges that the homeless face. I am also ready, willing and able to contribute time, energy, treasure and prayer to such an endeavor. That being said I think it should be located in a place that would have a minimal impact on the residents and businesses of the community. My suggestion is a facility on the outskirts of town near an industrial park. A clear vision and mission, close to major employers, away from dense residential areas and serviceable by the Hop. Now that sounds like a dream worth pursuing.

City Staff have recently received inquiries regarding the re-development of a former nursing home as a homeless shelter. I must admit that I am not excited at the prospect of needed and well intentioned project negatively impacting a part of town the way another local shelter has. It saddens me greatly to think about the property values that have been wiped out over the last 20+ years on Avenue G.  I used to get my haircut, my bike and car fixed, a convertible top sewed, bought groceries for my restaurant all on Ave G. I remember walking from school friend’s homes over to Ben Franklins. I sent my very first fax from Ramona Courts. Over time things changed, as is the norm, the biggest change, however, had a disproportionally devastating impact to the area. Locating of homeless shelter right in the middle of an established neighborhood and business district was in retrospect probably not the best idea.  All one has to do is drive around the area to see its impact.  While I would very much like to see a new homeless shelter in the area I sure hope that this same mistake is not made again.  I would very much like reader feedback on this issue. Feel free to leave a comment on this blog or call/ email me.  My email address is tony@tonyjeter.com.