Public hearing convinces City Council to allocate $216,000 in federal grant money to nonprofit group

May 02, 2008
By Meg Landers
Mail Tribune

MEDFORD — Following an emotional public hearing that lasted nearly three hours, the Medford City Council voted unanimously late Thursday to give $216,000 in federal funds to a new shelter for homeless teens.

Amber Hill of Medford told the council she and her mother have taken in at least 13 homeless children in the past five years.

It's hard, you know?" she said, breaking down in tears. "If they're being hit, mentally abused, sexually abused, why go home?"

Homeless youths need a safe place, she said.

"If we can do it, let's do it," she said, and the audience exploded into applause.

The hearing was to consider the allocation of $614,230 in Community Development Block Grant funds. Hearts with a Mission nonprofit organization requested $216,000 to help purchase and renovate a house on Edwards Street for an emergency shelter for homeless teens.

The shelter will provide males and females, ages 10 to 17, with a secure environment for 72 hours and link them with other service agencies.

Councilman Bob Strosser said he struggled with an organization at such an early stage requesting such a large amount of money. He'd prefer the nonprofit had its business plan, including funding for operations, worked out in detail.

Kevin Lamson, founder and president of Hearts with a Mission, said "concepts don't sell," adding that they need to have a building before donors and supporters will get behind them. He estimated operating costs will be $468,000 annually.

Bill Hale, one of more than a dozen rugged-looking Harley-Davidson bikers supporting the shelter, said he learned in the past two months about homeless youths when two of his teenage grandchildren ran away from home. They returned with rough stories, he said.

"I really saw a need," said Hale, a member of a Christian ministry motorcycle club.

But Karen Blair, a real estate agent, and member of the Housing and Community Development Commission that recommended approval, said she was troubled that it was such a new organization and it was requesting such a large sum of money.

"I question the sustainability of a program like this only because it's taking the fast track," she said.

Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.