Ozanam Inn is a men’s homeless shelter with 68 emergency, overnight bunk beds for men who would otherwise be on the streets. Staffed 24 hours a day, the shelter offers professional case management to homeless men. In partnership with the Veterans Administration, St. Vincent de Paul Louisville also offers case management and private rooms to 20 homeless veterans and provides a limited number of sanctuary beds for those at high risk in the shelter. During COVID-19, Ozanam Inn has limited itself to 50 instead of 68 clients. This has not impacted veteran and sanctuary clients.
During white flag periods, an additional 20 or more guests are given air mattresses in the Open Hand Kitchen for a safe, climate-controlled space to sleep.
“COVID has limited the number of clients we can accommodate safely,” explains Lead Program Aide Brian Scully. “We have had to be one step ahead of the pandemic to keep our staff and clients safe.”
While COVID has required many changes, shelter work always requires staff to be prepared for anything.
“Working in the shelter, you have to almost have a sixth sense to make sure you are prepared as situations change,” says Program Manager Auther Calhoun. “We have to be able to turn on a dime to meet the changing needs of our clients and our staff.”
COVID testing is currently provided to staff and clients on a weekly basis to help avoid the spread of the infection. Auther is working to also find a way to provide vaccines and boosters on site.
At Ozanam, guests are provided with showers, access to barbering supplies and toiletries, clean restrooms, beds with clean linen, and breakfast in the morning. In addition, clients are invited to work with a case manager and a benefits navigator to ensure they receive the benefits and support they need to break the cycle of homelessness. The shelter has an excellent reputation in the homeless community for its ability to help clients with serious health limitations like wheelchair use and mental health issues.
One of the less tangible things the shelter provides is compassion and respect.
“It helps our clients to know that the staff care about each other and about our clients,” stresses Auther. “When clients know we believe they matter, it opens up opportunities for them to empower themselves, to work toward stable housing.”
Brian Scully explains, “I want them to know that I care. I want to see them again, but I don’t want to see them here. I want them to succeed and to find stable homes.”
While clients do not stay at Ozanam during the day, they can sign up for a bed the next night before they leave in the morning. This offers clients more stability, in turn, opening the door for more consistent case management and client support.
“We have case managers, but we also have benefits navigators and program aides who actively support our clients in their efforts to become self-sufficient,” Auther explains. “I am so incredibly proud of my team. Their compassion and efficiency have let us adapt to the many changes these past two years have presented.”
How you can help
In addition to financial donations to St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, the men at Ozanam Inn can use toiletries for day-to-day use, and air mattresses for White Flag nights. Your help and compassion mean so much to our staff and our clients at Ozanam Inn. We thank you for your continued support of our mission.
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