Forum to discuss Flathead homeless population

Christ Church Episcopal in Kalispell on Jan. 30 will host an informational community forum addressing the homeless population in the Flathead area.

According to the Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana’s 2017 Community Needs Assessment, affordable housing is the greatest overall need present in this area, which claims one of the lowest vacancy rates for rental and homeowner housing in the state.

Through their work with organizations such as Feed the Flathead, Red Door Food Pantry and Sparrows Nest, Christ Church Episcopal serves over 500 people a month and has identified over 300 teens and youth experiencing various levels of homelessness across the Flathead Valley.

In partnership with Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana and other local organizations, the church hopes to provide statistical information and potential possibilities for aiding individuals in need.

The goal for the Transforming Homelessness seminar, according to the event’s organizer and church board member David Reese, is to provide information and education for both their own church as well as the community as a whole on how to better serve the homeless community through housing opportunities and other services.

“For us, it’s about teaching our church family what we need to do as we step forward in extending our programs that feed [and shelter] the homeless,” Reese said.

Reese said Christ Church Episcopal hopes to find ways through the forum to safely and effectively open its doors and provide a warm, safe shelter for individuals on cold winter nights.

The seminar will address topics including homeless veterans, youth and mentally disabled.

Event speakers will include Cassidy Kipp with Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana, Jerramy Rear-Duel with Sparrows Nest, Billy Griel with Volunteers of America and Josh Starcher with Sunburst Foundation.

The free event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal.

For more information, call 249-5728.