WestCare To Assume Control Over Pikeville Homeless Shelter
By Medical Leader Staff/Press Release/Other
March 10, 2006

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - WestCare Kentucky, a nonprofit charitable organization, announced Tuesday the expansion of their services in Pike County by partnering with the City of Pikeville to operate the Pikeville Homeless Shelter. Pikeville city commissioners voted overwhelmingly to support WestCare in this endeavor. The City of Pikeville Emergency Shelter, which opened in 1992, is housed in a two-story 11,700 square foot building, has 36 beds and serves over 360 individuals per year, including over 60 children.

While the Pikeville shelter will continue to operate on the top floor of the building, WestCare will use the ground floor space to bring to life its idea for a CIC (Community Involvement Center). The CIC for Pike County will provide licensed outpatient group and individual counseling for both adult males and females, as well as offer regular meetings of NA (Narcotis Anonymous), AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), Hebron and Lifeline support groups, which are essential to maintaining lifelong recovery process, but are practically nonexistent in eastern Kentucky.

"We are excited about the opportunity given to us by the City of Pikeville to maintain the shelter for those most in need, and to give WestCare the ability to expand our CIC concept and in an area where it is most needed," said Jennifer Noland, vicepresident of WestCare Kentucky.

WestCare will also offer family support counseling for those individuals who have loved ones in a residential program, as well as outreach and substance abuse education throughout the county, develop referral relationships for wraparound support services and facilitate the entry of adult males with substance abuse problems into treatment at the newly-developed WestCare Residential Treatment Facility in Pike County.

City Commissioner Gene Davis said, "It is a good idea for both the community and for WestCare. I think it will be a win-win situation for everyone."

Mayor Franklin D. Justice II added, "I am very pleased the City of Pikeville and WestCare have partnered to provide services to the citizens of Pike County. WestCare is a nonprofit organization with over 33 years of experience in serving the needs of those affected by the homelessness, substance abuse and mental illness. I have the utmost confidence in the organization's professionalism and ability to provide a homeless and transitional living facility as well as offering much needed counseling services associated with substance abuse and mental health issues."

District Judge Kelsey Friend Jr. is excited about the potential at the shelter to aid with drug treatment in Pike County and commended the mayor and city commissioner for their decision to support this idea.

"The collaboration between the City of Pikeville and WestCare will empower our community more effectively to work to help drug-addicted individuals, as well as their families," Friend said.