By Hannah Heishman
Ryan Runions visited the Moorefield Town Council at their meeting Dec. 16 to introduce them to the Hardy County Family Support Center, located at 108 South Fork Road, Suite 202.
“Family Support Centers are community-based resource hubs where families can access formal and informal supports,” Runions said, adding the centers are, “community focused and driven by family needs.”
Eligibility for services is based on income guidelines of 300% or below the Federal Poverty Level. Runions said about 95% of West Virginia qualifies.
It’s a drop-in center, and parents must stay. There are couches, coffee, a play area, and a resource library.
“We’re trying to be the hub for those in need,” Runions said.
He listed emergency food, household cleaning supplies, hygiene items, and a baby bank on premises as offerings.
Activities held each month include art classes, cooking and nutrition classes, parenting classes, awareness programs, support groups, and youth groups.
A Life Coaching program focuses on “empowered family self-sustainability.”
Runions is able to use official resources to assist those with children under age 18 in the home. That funding cannot be used for anyone else.
He also maintains a ministerial fund, sourced by donations. He can use this to assist the elderly, single individuals, and those experiencing homelessness.
Recent examples for the ministerial fund’s use include assisting with power and water termination bills to prevent shut-off.
He said there are definitely requests he’s had to refuse. The ministerial funds are ‘first come, first served.’
Runions told the Council about a recent experience in which he coordinated a night’s stay for single male experiencing homelessness. When a young pregnant woman called later, he had no more money available to help her.
When asked if a local motel offers him a discount, he said, “Tax exemption.”
Lodging facilities struggle with accepting those experiencing homelessness, because there are often other issues that may result in damage or more extensive cleaning required, even when payment is guaranteed by a church, government agency, or civic organization.
The Family Support Center is under Eastern Action, which is also behind the effort to open an emergency housing location in Moorefield; the council heard from them at a previous meeting.
Mayor Scott Fawley asked about the source for the ministerial fund: churches and private donations.
Runions said the fund began last year under the previous director. Currently, he said, “three to four churches” donate. He said the fund has grown some, “but not much. It’s a struggle.”
“We are spreading awareness, to make people aware of the gap, between services we can provide, and those we cannot,” Runion said.
“Seeing it every day, it opens your eyes to the homelessness in the County. And it’s growing, unfortunately.”
Shayna Helmick, the Town’s public relations specialist, provided the Council with option to help record and stream Town meetings.
They opted to purchase an OWL Teleconference system, and tabled a decision about the Town’s website.
The Council voted to appoint Valerie Daniel to the Historic Landmark Commission.
They approved an updated personnel policy.
They extended a part-time police officer’s contract by six months.
The Council meets again on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.
The meeting also will stream on the Town’s Facebook page, where it will be available for viewing for 30 days. The public is encouraged to attend, or watch.
