Community Partnership of the Ozarks is offering new services to Springfield’s homeless at the O’Reilly Center for Hope.
CPO is providing showers, including towels and shower kits, and also allowing the homeless to have mail services through the facility.
“These are both critical gaps in services for the homeless population in our community,” Michelle Garand, Vice-President of Affordable Housing & Homeless Prevention, said in a statement. “Because health and hygiene are critical for the hyper-vulnerable homeless population, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we know it is important for everyone to have access to showers.”
The showers are available even to those who are not guests of the partner agencies that use the O’Reilly Center for Hope. The showers are available during the center’s regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Unless arrangements have been made with a partner agency, showers are first-come, first-served.
The mail service will also give the area’s homeless a chance to obtain help from government agencies or to apply for jobs that require a mailing address.
“Mail services are an additional hardship and struggle for those without homes in our community,” Garand said. “When someone applies for a job or needs to get mail from government, housing and other resources, they need somewhere to receive that mail. This is especially important for those who apply for employment or housing because people need an address to complete application forms and often to receive communication from potential employers or landlords.”
If you know someone who could use these services, contact the O’Reilly Center for Hope at 417-225-7499.Community Partnership Offers Showers & Mail Services for Homeless