12 City Council (09/08/03) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meeting September 8, 2003 Page 8 City Council, requesting $10,000.00 in support of their organization. She said these funds will be operational funds and will enable them to continue to provide service to the homeless women and children of this community. Ms. Bowlin said their mission is to feed, clothe, and educate these women and children. They offer parenting classes, life skill classes, and bible study. She advised that their current shelter can house up to 20 individuals comfortably, and the shelter serves about 100 women on a one-to-one basis per year. They have assisted 87 non- resident individuals through food baskets, diapers, bus tickets, crisis calls and referrals for a tota1207 clients. She said they have seen many success stories that go on to wonderful jobs with benefits as well as obtain a GED and even attend college. Ms. Bowlin said they believe they are providing an essential service for the community. She said the rural homeless are invisible to the untrained eye. They are hidden in condemned houses, tents or just floating nightly from one place to another. Ms. Bowlin again requested funding for their program. Don Stuckey, 2350 Ballard Street, was present representing the kids of Paris, Texas. He said he looked over the budget and he saw two things, The Think Child Safety, which is a great program, and PAL. He said he had not found a budget on PAL. Mr. Stuckey said he did not think that they, as Council Members, realize that the Breakfast Optimist services baseball in the summer, the Noon Optimist helps the Boy's Club and also the Pee Wee football, Girl's Fast Pitch by Carl Wade, the Boy's Club, and the Kiwanis Soccer. He said that the City of Paris built the Paris Swimming Pool. They now have swim team meets there and had as many as 800 people come to the city to a swim meet. Mr. Stuckey said he felt that the people in Paris, Texas, have the biggest hearts. Mr. Stuckey urged the city to help support these programs. Randy Bunch, 3080 Houston Street, representing the Paris Band, came forward telling the Council that the Paris Band has been around for 60 years and it provides wholesome family entertainment for the City of Paris citizens. Mr. Bunch said he hoped that the City Council has it in their hearts and minds to continue the support for the band.