Friday, December 20, 2013

Temporary Cold-Weather Overnight Shelter Needs Volunteers

Unitarian Universalist Church on Shepard Blvd. (across from Shepard Elementary School) will be extending its overnight shelter for the homeless from December 21-January 1 due to the cold weather forecasted in our area. In January, "Room at the Inn", will be held at Broadway Christian Church and moved to other local churches through March 1, 2014.

If you will be in Columbia during these last two weeks of 2013 and can volunteer at the shelter in the Shepard neighborhood, please sign up for one or more shifts by logging onto:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094EACAD2BA13-emergency

On Saturday morning, Dec. 21,  if there is at least 60% of shifts covered through the 1st,  the church feels confident that it will be able to continue to meet this urgent need.  Please help as you are able.

At least three people are scheduled for each of three shifts daily:
1) from 5:30 pm-10:00pm;
2) from 9:30pm to 1:30 am and
3) from 1:30-7:30 am (for this shift we are asking for four volunteer so that two people can take turns sleeping).

The temporary shelter at Unitarian Universalist schedules at least two men for the overnight shifts, and at least one male is needed at the earlier shifts.  The shelter is held within the church sanctuary.  For those who volunteer, one of the shelter co-coordinators will forward, as an attachment to you, the UUCC-FOR Volunteer Handbook for your review before your shift(s). 

Winter Shelter "Room at the Inn" Schedule 
Hours for shelter: 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. January 1 - February 28
Overnight shelter for adults 18+. Families referred.
Dec 9, 2013 - Jan 1, 2014: Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd. (Shuttle available from Loaves and Fishes after evening meal ending at 6:15, Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, 702 Wilkes Blvd.)
Jan 1 - Jan 12, 2014: Broadway Christian Church, 2601 West Broadway
Jan 12 - Jan 19, 2014: Calvary Episcopal Church, 123 South 9th Street
Jan 19 - Feb 3, 2014: Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 South 9th Street
Feb 3 - Feb 17, 2014: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1115 Locust Street
Feb 17 - Mar 1, 2014: Community United Methodist Church 3301 West Broadway
Z. Lois Bryant House 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

City-wide Neighborhood Congress at ARC set for January 9


Hello, 
Bill Cantin of the Office of Neighborhood Services asked that I send you this information..

On Thursday, January 9, 2014, the Office of Neighborhood Services is sponsoring a Neighborhood Congress at the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC) from 6 to 8 p.m.(Council office hours will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.). The purpose of this event is to provide input on the following community development needs: affordable housing, economic development, fair housing, neighborhood needs and community facilities. Information collected during the discussions at the Neighborhood Congress will be used in conjunction with the Consolidated Plan.

The consolidated plan is a document required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), designed to help guide communities on directing the federal dollars they receive. The consolidated planning process allows you to weigh in on what you think are the most important community needs in Columbia.

To learn more about the Neighborhood Congress and the Consolidated Plan, call (573) 874-6321 or visit our website.


Tammy Miller
Public Information Specialist
Columbia Parks and Recreation

Monday, December 16, 2013

Neighborhood Watch Newsletter


Note from Columbia Police Officer Melvin Buckner:

If you have a neighbor who is a member of Neighborhood Watch, but they are not receiving our news letter, it is probably because I do not have a good email address for them. Please have them call me so I can update their information.  

Happy Holidays!
Officer Melvin E. Buckner
Columbia Police Department

Public Relations Unit
Office Of Neighborhood Service
Crime Free Programs Coordinator
   Phone 573-874-7425
   Email  <mebuckne@gocolumbiamo.com




Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Proposed Housing Development "The Avenue" at Shepard Hills Neighborhood

Hello to all,
Let me introduce myself in case you don't know me.  My name is John Prenger and I serve you as the president of the Shepard Boulevard Neighborhood Association.  I need to call to your attention that on January 6, our City Council will decide on approving (or rejecting) another student housing complex, "The Avenue", that will come in immediately north of the new hotel and the Cheerleaders Sports Bar on the east side of Stadium and U.S. 63.

This development, if approved, will have profound impact on our neighborhood.  First, it is in direct contact with the very quiet Shepard Hills neighborhood, just east of Broadway and U.S. 63.  This will totally change the character of one of the city's most serene neighborhoods.  It is a very strong concern for them.

Secondly, since The Domain student housing (as a part of the Cross Creek development) has significantly and negatively affected traffic patterns on Stadium at U.S. 63 and old 63, this new development will only enhance the traffic problems.
There is also a possibility that the city is about to approve the building of too many student-oriented housing, which could create issues if these big housing complexes are not able to be filled in the near future.

There is much at stake for our neighborhood, Shepard Hills Neighborhood, and the City of Columbia, itself.  So, please let Barbara Hoppe, who represents us in the 6th Ward, know your thoughts on this latest development proposal.  Indeed, let all on the City Council know of any concerns.  And, plan to show up, in person, at the City Council meeting on January 6 at 7 p.m.
Questions or comments?  email me at prengerclan@gmail.com or call at 573-673-7964.  If you have thoughts or feelings one way or the other, the time to show your concern is NOW!

Friday, December 6, 2013

UU Church on Shepard Blvd. hosting Emergency Winter Overnight Shelter Dec. 9-20, 2013

U.U.-FOR Emergency Winter Overnight Shelter

Because of dangerously dropping temperatures in December, the Mid-MO Fellowship of Reconciliation and the UU Church have come together to provide emergency shelter to our town’s most vulnerable from December 9-20, in advance of the opening of Room at the Inn shelters on January 1st. We will be using Room at the Inn standards as our guide and welcoming regular Room at the Inn volunteers, as well as church and FOR volunteers. This effort has come together quickly in response to urgent need, and we are working hard to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our homeless guests and our neighbors. See below for some key facts about this effort.

This time of year is one of charity and human warmth, even amid the frigid temperatures, and we certainly invite the support of our neighbors as we work to provide shelter and sanctuary for those most vulnerable. If you would like to volunteer in some way, you may contact Jeff Stack at 573-449-4585, and donations of pre-packaged foods (particularly snack foods and portable breakfast foods) and warm winter garments are always welcome at the church.

Key Facts

Organizer: Mid-MO Fellowship of Reconciliation
Host: UU Church of Columbia, 2615 Shepard Blvd.
Dates: December 9-20
Time: overnight… ~ 6pm-7am

Guests will be transported to and from the church directly by van or bus.

Police will be present while guests arrive and settle in. Guests will be asked to remain on church property at all times.

Guests will be supervised by a minimum of three volunteers at any given time. Volunteers will be informed of Room at the Inn standards and rules.

This shelter will be a drug-free, alcohol-free, and weapon-free zone. Guest’s belongings will be stored for the duration of their stay, and may only be accessed under supervision.

Doors will be locked and lights out at 10:30pm. If a guest needs to leave, they will not be re-admitted, and volunteers will provide transportation out of the neighborhood.


If a guest becomes perceived to be a danger to him/herself or others, the police will be called immediately.

In faith,

Rev. Molly Housh Gordon
UU Church of Columbia
2615 Shepard Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201

office: (573) 442-5764