The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, founded in 2007, is Northern Kentucky’s only emergency cold-weather shelter. Clients are served on a first come, first served basis, and referrals are accepted from police, hospitals, and concerned citizens.

During the winter of 2012-13, the Shelter has already provided services to over 350 adults. That total represents a 10% increase from the 2011-12, and an increase of over 40% from 2010-11. Unfortunately, there is no sign that future needs will decrease.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of what the Shelter is doing for the Northern Kentucky region,” Reed commented when introducing himself to the Board, “and also an exciting time to be a part of what Northern Kentucky can do for the Shelter. I am happy to have this chance to serve this critically-needed organization.”

Reed was referring to the soon-to-be-launched capital campaign for the Shelter, which is in desperate need of a new home of its own. The Shelter currently leases from Kenton County the building at 634 Scott Street, which is expected to be sold to Gateway College in July 2014.

“Unless the Shelter can find and finance a new home, there is a real chance of an interruption in services heading into the winter of 2014,” Reed observed. “Since the possible consequences of not having the Shelter are so dire – people with no viable alternative will live on the streets, and will literally risk losing their lives to the elements – it is urgent to undertake a carefully calculated campaign to support the Shelter.”

For Reed, serving on the Board of Directors was an outgrowth of his participation in the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 “Leadership Northern Kentucky” program. The LNK Class toured the Shelter as part of its study of
Northern Kentucky Social Services programs, and Reed felt a call to do more for the homeless population.

Not long after his election to the Board, he was also chosen by his peers from Leadership Northern Kentucky to serve as the project chair for the class project. The 2013 LNK Class chose as its project assisting the Shelter find and finance a new home. Serving as Project Chair and as a member of the Board provides Reed a unique chance to enhance both organizations.

“Our work as a Leadership Class will be varied. We are working with the Shelter Board to draft a new business plan for the Shelter, helping with site selection efforts for the new home, and also developing new strategies for fundraising and marketing that are intended to raise the public profile of this wonderful organization,” Reed said.

“The Shelter has grown accustomed to doing so much with so little, and the LNK Class believes we can stake the Shelter to a more sustainable future by sharing our collective elbow grease.”

To find out how you can help the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, contact Mr. Reed at (859) 491-5551 or jreed@edmondsonlaw.com. You can also visit the Shelter’s website, www.emergencyshelternky.org, to volunteer, donate, or get more information.