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Homelessness is not just a city problem. It’s happening right now in Tioga County.

TCHI’s (Tioga County Homeless Initiative) mission is to establish and operate a centrally located Tioga County Homeless Shelter supported by a faith-based network of churches and organizations. Whose goal is to help homeless families and individuals have a warm, safe place to sleep.

In 2013, the TCHI operations planning group received a call from Shell Appalachian requesting them to apply for more funding to help keep the shelter operational. The Tioga County Commissioners also contacted them to apply for our County’s PHARE funding. Experience Works contacted them and offered overnight staffing for the shelter. These two organizations were extremely helpful in the opening of the shelter house.

Churches are providing an evening meal and provisions for a morning breakfast, as well as adult supervision from 5-10pm. They have also incorporated a weekly Bible Study at the shelter, which is being well received by the shelter residents. TCHI has a full-time case manager/Director of Operations, Abby Thorborg, who makes sure the shelter is running efficiently. She also assists the shelter residents in looking for permanent housing and employment.

In its first year, this ministry sheltered 46 homeless, in the second year, 53. In 2014, the shelter has, so far, housed 59 individuals.

In today’s feature, Jill Fidurko (realtor for Mountain Valley Realty and a member of the Young Professionals Network) spoke about donation boxes that are available at local realty offices in the area. These boxes support TCHI and the work they are doing for the homeless. Right now, until June 13, you can donate items such as household cleaning products, paper goods and hygiene products.

For more information about TCHI you can go to their website at TiogaHomeless.org or by calling (570) 439-9383 (ask for Abby.)