Clark County Homeless Coalition

10/16/2026

Everyone’s path to stability looks different. Some paths are smooth. Others are full of obstacles, unexpected turns, and challenges along the way.

Our mission is simple:

“Empowering those experiencing homelessness to take ownership of their path home.”

We believe helping someone means more than meeting an immediate need. It means walking alongside them, connecting them to resources, helping remove barriers, and offering the support they need to take the next step.

We meet people where they are and walk alongside them as they work toward a path home. Sometimes, taking that first step just requires a little support and a helping hand.
And we couldn’t walk this path without YOU.

To every person, business, organization, volunteer, and donor who has supported our mission, thank you. Your generosity and compassion help make this work possible.

Together, we’re doing more than providing assistance.
We’re helping people find their footing, take the next step, and move forward on their path home.

We’re here to empower.

Want to learn more about us and what we do? Visit our website https://www.helphomelessfamilies.org/ or stop by in person to see us at 275 W Lexington Avenue, Wi******er, KY 40391. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9-5.

Did you know? We have an Amazon Wishlist! There, you can shop for supplies our shelter needs and have them shipped directly to us. You can even sort by priority to see what we need most! Check it out: https://a.co/0geGAOj0

10/12/2026

ONE CRISIS AWAY

More than half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.
For many, there’s little room for an unexpected expense. One setback can be enough to put someone’s housing at risk.

Imagine spending most of your paycheck on rent.
Then your car breaks down.
You receive an unexpected medical bill.
Your hours at work are reduced.
You have an emergency childcare expense.
Your pet needs urgent veterinary care.

Suddenly, the money you were counting on for rent is gone.
Housing instability doesn’t always begin with someone making a bad choice.

Sometimes, it begins with something completely unexpected.
A job loss. A medical emergency. A broken-down car. A family crisis.

Homelessness can happen to people from all walks of life. It does not define someone’s character, work ethic, or worth.
So instead of asking, “What did they do wrong?”
Try asking, “What happened?”

Because the distance between being housed and experiencing homelessness can sometimes be just one unexpected event.
And any of us could find ourselves needing a helping hand.
You never know when someone around you may need a helping hand. Be the person willing to offer one.

Want to learn more? Visit our website https://www.helphomelessfamilies.org/ or stop by in person to see us at 275 W Lexington Avenue, Wi******er, KY 40391. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9-5.

Did you know? We have an Amazon Wishlist! There, you can shop for supplies our shelter needs and have them shipped directly to us. You can even sort by priority to see what we need most! Check it out: https://a.co/0geGAOj0

10/10/2026

October 10th is World Homeless Day. Today, we recognize the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community and beyond. Every person's situation is different, and one of the best ways to help is to start by asking what they actually need. A simple conversation can go a long way toward understanding someone's circumstances and connecting them with the right support.

Looking for ways to make a difference? Here are a few ways to help:

• Donate essential items like clean socks, underwear, jackets, shoes, backpacks, hygiene products, and canned foods.

• Give gift cards for groceries, restaurants, or transportation to help meet everyday needs.

• Support local shelters and outreach programs through financial contributions or volunteering.

• Share local resources with someone who may need them.

• Treat people experiencing homelessness with kindness and respect, without making assumptions about their circumstances.

At the Clark County Homeless Coalition, we work to connect people with resources, support, and opportunities to find a path home. We couldn't do this work without the support of our community.

This World Homeless Day, remember that helping starts with listening. Sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can do is ask, "What do you need?"

Learn more about our work and how you can get involved at https://www.helphomelessfamilies.org/ or stop in and visit us at 275 W Lexington Ave, Wi******er, KY 40391. We're open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.

10/07/2026

“Why don’t they just get a job?”
But how do you get hired when you don’t have the basics needed to work?

No reliable transportation.
No place to shower or get ready.
No appropriate clothes for an interview.
No ID or Social Security card.
No safe place to sleep.
No permanent address to put on an application.
Homelessness can create barriers that make finding and keeping a job incredibly difficult.

The question isn’t always, “Why don’t they work?”
Sometimes, it’s: “What’s standing in their way?”

YOU NEED MORE THAN A JOB.

Getting back on your feet may start with getting the documents you need, finding transportation, accessing a shower, securing appropriate clothing, or navigating the systems needed to move forward.

That’s where we come in.
Our dedicated case managers work alongside people experiencing homelessness to help remove these barriers and connect them with the resources they need to take their next step toward stability.
Because sometimes, the path to employment starts with a helping hand.

Want to learn more? Visit our website https://www.helphomelessfamilies.org/ or stop by in person to see us at 275 W Lexington Avenue, Wi******er, KY 40391. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9-5.

Did you know? We have an Amazon Wishlist! There, you can shop for supplies our shelter needs and have them shipped directly to us. You can even sort by priority to see what we need most! Check it out: https://a.co/0geGAOj0

10/06/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 📅

Giving Tuesday is coming up on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, and that means it’s time for Bluegrass Gives!

Bluegrass Gives brings Central and Appalachian Kentucky together for one powerful day of giving to support local nonprofits and the work they do in our communities.

This Giving Tuesday, you can make a difference right here at home by supporting the Clark County Homeless Coalition and helping us empower those experiencing homelessness to take ownership of their path home.

Every gift matters. Every act of generosity makes a difference.

Save the date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026!

More details on how you can support us coming soon.

10/03/2026

All set up for Wi******er's Pride + Inclusion Festival, come out and see us on Depot Street!

10/01/2026

“Why are there so many homeless people? Can’t they just get a job?”

It sounds like a simple solution.

But here’s the thing: an estimated 40–60% of people experiencing homelessness in the United States have a job.

So why are they still homeless?

Because having a job doesn’t always mean you can afford a place to live.

Many people experiencing homelessness are working, earning a paycheck, and doing everything they can to stay afloat. But when wages don’t keep up with the cost of rent and other basic expenses, even a steady job may not be enough to keep someone housed.

So instead of asking:

“Why don’t they just get a job?”

Maybe we should ask:

What if they already have one?

What if their paycheck isn’t enough to cover the rent?

What if there simply isn’t an affordable place available?

Homelessness is more complicated than a lack of employment.

And that’s where we come in.

Our team of dedicated case managers work alongside people experiencing homelessness to help them navigate resources, find affordable housing, and take steps toward stability and a place to call home.

Sometimes, all someone needs is a helping hand and someone willing to help them find a way forward.

Want to learn more? Visit our website https://www.helphomelessfamilies.org/ or stop by in person to see us at 275 W Lexington Avenue, Wi******er, KY 40391. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9-5.

Did you know? We have an Amazon Wishlist! There, you can shop for supplies our shelter needs and have them shipped directly to us. You can even sort by priority to see what we need most! Check it out: https://a.co/0geGAOj0

09/28/2026

Be sure to join us this Saturday from 2-8 for Wi******er's very own Pride and Inclusivity Festival!

******er Pride + Inclusion Festival 2026 is coming up in just ONE WEEK! Who are you bringing along to enjoy the immaculate vibes? Be sure to rsvp to the event on facebook and share with your buddies!

09/22/2026

WAINSCOTT HALL: THE DOOR TO OPPORTUNITY

Right here in Wi******er, Wainscott Hall is currently the city’s only homeless shelter, providing a safe place to stay for up to 15 individuals at a time.

But Wainscott Hall is about so much more than providing a bed.

Those 15 people are 15 individuals, each with their own needs, stories, backgrounds, and circumstances. And helping someone find their way home takes more than a place to sleep. It takes support, resources, and opportunity.

When someone walks through our doors, they are connected with a case manager who works alongside them to identify their needs and take steps toward stability.

That might mean:

Applying for SNAP benefits
Finding affordable housing
Exploring assisted living
Searching and applying for jobs
Connecting with transitional or permanent supportive housing
Connecting with community resources
And so much more.

Our goal isn't simply to give someone a place to stay. It's to help open the door to what comes next.

And that door has a pretty incredible history.

In the early 1900s, Clark County was served by the Guerrants Mountain Mission Clinic and hospital, now known as the Bluegrass Heritage Museum. As Wi******er grew, so did the need for a larger hospital.

On March 17, 1917, Clark County Hospital opened at the corner of Lexington and Wainscott Avenue. Much of its funding came from generous community donations, including a contribution from George Lee Wainscott, founder of Wi******er's own Ale-8-One. His contribution helped the hospital build living quarters for its nurses.

That two-story home still stands today.

It is Wainscott Hall. 🏠

More than 100 years later, this historic property continues to serve Wi******er by opening its doors to people experiencing homelessness and helping them find a path toward stability, housing, and a brighter future.

Wainscott Hall truly is a door to opportunity.

We are proud to be part of Wi******er's long history of neighbors helping neighbors. And we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps keep that door open.

We couldn't do this without our community.

Thank you for believing that everyone deserves safety, support, opportunity, and a place to call home.

WANT TO HELP?

Did you know we have an Amazon Wish List? You can see what our shelter needs and have items shipped directly to us!

https://a.co/0geGAOj0

You can also drop off donations at our Office, located at 275 West Lexington Avenue, Wi******er, KY 40391. We’re open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Questions? Give us a call at (859) 744-8733!