Begin Again Homes in Apache Junction is seeking a $20,000 grant for an emergency shelter program with hotel vouchers.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously June 5 on a consent agenda with other items to approve a resolution seeking funding from the Tohono O’odham Nation shared revenue program and for Pinal County to serve as the fiscal agent.
Begin Again Homes Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization formed to help the city’s growing number of homeless individuals and families, Executive Director Sheryl Bigelow wrote in a letter seeking Proposition 202 tribal gaming support.
Begin Again Homes is proposing an emergency shelter utilizing temporary hotel stays at Motel 6 in Apache Junction, she said.
“Eligibility criteria includes, but is not limited to, being homeless or at risk of homelessness, having a demonstrated need for supportive services, be willing to work with case managers to achieve the client’s goals, have a verified housing voucher, be in the process of obtaining permanent housing and prove they are not currently battling any mental health or substance abuse issues,” Bigelow said.
All of the project budget of $20,000 will be used to cover motel fees through Dec. 31, 2024, or longer depending on how many people use emergency shelter and the length of time such shelter is needed, she said.
Begin Again Homes provided such emergency shelter from June to December 2023 with five emergency shelter stays and assisted in obtaining permanent housing for these five individuals. The use of Motel 6 as the temporary emergency shelter was made possible through various donations from local businesses and community members, Bigelow said.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here