Homelessness is staying on its upward trend in our county. According to Health and Human Services Coordinator John Liddle, included in the estimated high of 313 unhoused people is 42 families and just over 100 children. These people need help, and waiting for the perfect fix doesn’t help anyone in the meantime. 

With that being said, we must use what is available to give shelter immediately. It was proposed that SUNY Sullivan’s Lazarus I. Levine Residence Hall could be a possible place to open up to shelter those in need. Almost ironically following in its namesake, a renovated Lazarus Residence Hall could offer a chance towards a revival; a recovery for the staggered.

While there should still be studies into where else unhoused people can be given a place to rest their heads, this option seems to be a viable one, should it go through. SUNY Sullivan has an opportunity to transcend to become a beacon of life for so many in need – a title it already holds in regards to higher education in the county.

However, questions we are left with are this: are there any other opportunities for work, education, transportation or healthcare should they be invited to the residence hall? Also for the students, what of their needs? Is it possible to mesh a place of higher learning with a place for emergency shelter and have it work in tandem? 

These inquiries are of course putting the cart before the horse, but would be an interesting development in helping unhoused people not just to a night’s rest, but back on the path towards self sufficiency. 

Regardless if this idea sees daylight, thank you to SUNY Sullivan for continuing to hold the community together in ways only they can. Additionally, thank you to the Monticello Rotary Club for their recent Taste of Sullivan event that benefited the Federation for the Homeless in Monticello. The community is made better every day by the works of these organizations.

Eradicating homelessness in Sullivan County is a tough task, and as so many groups and individuals work towards that goal, we pray that the day where no person, grown or young, goes another day without a place to call home, a full belly and a neighbor they can call friend.