OASH members review leftover winter house donations, discuss future ideas

Following the closing of the Oxford Winter House at the end of February, the Oxford Area Solutions for Housing (OASH), which helped plan the temporary shelter, was told by member Ann Fuehrer there’s likely still more than half of the community’s monetary donations leftover to spend on future shelter and affordable housing solutions.

Fuehrer told the group during a meeting on March 16 the Winter House received more than $97,940 total in donations, separate from the $70,000 grant it received from the City of Oxford. After expenditures, she estimated more than $57,900 is remaining since the Winter House closed on Feb. 28.

According to Fuehrer, some invoices were submitted after the Winter House closed, and her financial report to the group was not final, although she said more than half of the donations received will likely be retained.

“What we've promised, and what I've communicated to our donors … is for us to again, appropriately steward the funds, put them in savings,” Fuehrer told OASH, adding it then needs to discuss its next move as far as providing more sheltering, affordable housing and/or filling other resource gaps. “As you can see, we have some seed money to talk about planning.”

Fuehrer said the Winter House received donations from 123 individuals and organizations altogether.

As far as donating time and resources, OASH members were told 61 individuals donated meals, 95 donated supplies, 54 helped prepare the house, 25 spent time with guests, 16 helped guests who had pets and 10 assisted with staffing the house. At least 118 volunteers received the most basic level of training to interact with guests.

Several students from the Talawanda High School key club presented their efforts during the OASH meeting in making welcome baskets for guests at the Winter House, including necessary items.

Fuehrer said of everyone’s efforts, “Going into it, we really had no idea about how many people would respond, but the response was from many members of the community, so people really saw the need and responded very generously.”

During the meeting, members brainstormed ideas for future planning, including a year-round shelter, another winter shelter, permanent supportive housing or purchasing affordable rentals. Some members suggested providing transportation or public education courses, prevention services and community awareness programs.

The group will expect to continue this discussion in future meetings. The next OASH meeting will be at the Oxford Presbyterian Church on April 20.