The United Way of Rome and Floyd County seeks the public’s support of its efforts to address the homeless problem in the community.
Cathy Aiken-Freeman has been tapped by the nonprofit organization to serve as the support staff for the newly formed Interagency Council on Poverty and Homelessness. This followed a change to the United Way funding model and an ongoing debate over the local homeless issue in 2019. Aiken-Freeman was a part of a similar task force that was formed back in 2009. This time around, she hopes to foster a collaborative effort among existing organizations which assist the homeless and poverty-stricken. She says that the community’s help will be needed.
Aiken-Freeman indicates that her group’s objective is to take a closer look at the resources available in comparison to the needs that exist, and fill in those gaps.
Lynn Rousseau, Executive Director of the Hospitality House for Women, Inc, says that while she did not agree with the change to the United Way’s funding model, she did agree with the hiring of Aiken-Freeman to facilitate this effort to deal with the growing problem of homelessness locally.
Anyone from any local organization, whether business, faith-based or other, may reach out to Aiken-Freeman with their input on the homeless problem in Rome and Floyd County. She will be in her office at City Hall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting next week.
Questions about the Interagency Council on Poverty and Homelessness may also be directed to the United Way of Rome and Floyd County, which may be reached by phone at (706) 622-1990.