Ministries Assist Hazard Homeless

By Irene M. Lagan
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 11/21/02)

Hazard, Ky., is an isolated rural town in the heart of Appalachian coal country, where 27 percent of residents live in poverty. Many people are undereducated, lack access to health care, and have limited opportunities for work due to the area’s dependence upon the coal industry. As a result, many families struggle to find affordable housing or to keep a roof over their heads. Because homelessness is usually associated with urban settings, most services for the homeless are found in larger cities.

Gerry Roll (pictured at right), executive director of Hazard/Perry County Community Ministries, is a true Christian leader. Just over 10 years ago, Roll set out to "find a better way" for herself and her children, promising her son that they would "find their community." In the process, Roll has made it possible for many others who were homeless or on the brink of homelessness to achieve both independence and connectedness to their communities.

Roll was a single mother living in West Palm Beach, Fl., who was struggling to make it in the city. When Community Ministries advertised for an executive director, Roll applied for the position. "I was not making it in the city. I was a single mom and I needed a job. When I saw this job advertised, I said ‘I can do that,’ so I applied and everything followed from there," Roll said.

In 1993, two years after Roll’s arrival in Hazard, Community Ministries opened Comer Haven Crisis Shelter to house the homeless. Prior to that time, homeless folks were given bus fare for a shelter in Lexington. Roll said people lasted for a short while in Lexington, but would inevitably find their way back to Hazard. Under Roll’s leadership, Community Ministries has expanded its services to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing and support services to homeless and low-income individuals and families. Comer Haven Crisis Shelter serves approximately 1,500 people each year, and is linked with dozens of other service agencies so that people receive more than a band-aid.

"There is a big need for services," Roll said. "We cannot pigeon hole what people need. We need more affordable housing with appropriate supports. If we find people housing, but they have no support, that is no good. Whatever support entails for a person that is what we do."

In order to help people achieve self-sufficiency, Community Ministries has spawned other services that operate independently, such as a housing alliance that develops affordable housing and does home repairs and a day care center for the elderly. Under a continuum of care, individuals and families are able to transition for from homelessness to home ownership, or self sufficiency. In addition, Community ministries runs three high quality, affordable child care centers that also provide good jobs and training.

The organization’s continuum of care model has set an example for other organizations, and has resulted in policy changes on the state level, which now distributes all non entitlement emergency shelter money to rural areas that have implemented similar programs.

Recently, Roll’s efforts gained national attention and a $130,000 award. Roll is one of 20 recipients, selected from among 34 finalists and 1,400 nominees, of the 2002 Leadership for a Changing World Award from the Ford Foundation in conjunction with the Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C., and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of community leaders who are not well known outside of their communities, and provides financial support for their work.

Since Community Ministries is a faith-based organization, Roll turns first to local churches for help or support when a need arises. Community Ministries has been a good mediator among the various churches. "Direct service ministries demand so much that it is unfeasible for anyone to do this on a solitary basis. We share our resources, but do not get into our differences. Everyone has a different interpretation on Scripture, but we can agree that what we are called to do is love each other," Roll said.

People, she said, are often apprehensive about faith-based community ministries because of the religious component. In Hazard, she said the ecumenical tag signals a safe haven. "People think of us as church folks that are supposed to help," Roll said.

In the community, Roll is noted for her ability to draw people together. Roll’s style is to allow others to develop ideas and to flourish. She is also a firm believer in the community, in building and sustaining what she and others have created over the last decade.  

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