Published: December 14, 2008 12:32 pm      

Outreach Center facing budget shortfall

With a chaotic stock market and plunging economy, it’s easy to see why it has been said that most people in America are only two paychecks away from being homeless. This can ring especially true for those who work in cyclical industries such as oil and gas where jobs can go as quickly as they came.

High Plains Outreach Center, Inc., a Woodward shelter for the homeless that serves Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Major, Woods and Woodward Counties, is experiencing a budget shortfall while anticipating a greater need for its services throughout this holiday season.

The center receives no government grants to fund its day to day operational expenses and depends solely on the generosity of churches, civic organizations and citizens to keep its doors open.

The shelter, completely furnished with donated items, has one full time and three part time employees, the current temporary executive director serves on a volunteer basis.

“We’re here to help people that want to be helped, not the people who just want to manipulate the system. This is a working shelter. We don’t allow people to check in and just lay around,” said Case Manager/Shelter Coordinator Susie McNeil

“We are doing God’s work. He asked us to care for those in need. “Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do unto Me.” This is why the shelter exists – to answer His call to those in need,” said Executive Director Thurman Fussell.

“It could be my own children or grandchildren that were here. If they missed a paycheck, what could happen to them?” asked Fussell.

“The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Shattuck recently contributed $500 and their women’s group donated an additional $100. They included a note that said “We believe in your goals.” This is just one of the many area churches that support our efforts. That just means so much to us,” Fussell said.

The Christian Women’s Fellowship at First Christian Church in Camargo has contributed monthly for many years and the shelter recently received a $95 donation from the Friendly Group Class at Mutual as well.

When asked about their most pressing needs at the present time, Fussell said, “Obviously we need funds to continue to operate. We don’t need one interested person to give a million dollars because that means only one person is interested in our organization. We would like to find a million interested people who would each give one dollar and feel a part of what we are doing here, and that way it doesn’t hurt anybody.”

Fussell is available to speak to civic groups, churches or any organization that would like to know more about the problems of the homeless or the needs of the shelter.

High Plains Outreach Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All donations are tax deductible and the Center is happy to provide receipts to donors for donations. High Plains Outreach Center, Inc. is located at 1220 7th Street, Woodward, Oklahoma 73801. Telephone 580-254-5162.

“People are welcome to make an appointment to tour the shelter or to call and ask questions or get more information,” Fussell said. “We welcome any inquiries and all donations, no matter how small.”

”We just love the people and try to be here to help them. We want to give them a hand up, not a hand out,” said McNeil.

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Long-time board member Thurman Fussell was named the temporary executive director for High Plains  Outreach Center at a recent board meeting.

“I just have a passion for helping people that are in temporary need,” Fussell said.

Fussell will serve for six months as the organization looks for a new director.

“I really hope that we will find an executive director that will be able to seek the funds through grants and donations so we can concentrate on servicing the needs of people rather than worrying about finances,” Fussell said.