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Like other organizations, First Christian Church hosts lunch once monthly for the community. 

In February, a familiar face came by. 

Steve Lenahan, Executive Director of Clark County Homeless Coalition, spoke to attendees about the organization. 

“First of all, thank you for having me,” said Lenahan, after being introduced by senior minister Jerry Johns. “We’ve been serving the community since 2011.” 

Before speaking to the crowd, Lenahan – along with others – indulged in afternoon lunch. 

This included a pot of chicken noodle soup, bread, dessert, and different choices of drink. 

Afterward, Lenahan – whose 30 years of experience with non-profit work includes places such as New Orleans before coming to the organization in 2023 – spoke. 

He highlighted many general facts of the Clark County Homeless Coalition, located at 275 W. Lexington Avenue. 

Among them, the organization can provide shelter with case management to over 100 individuals and families, assist approximately 150 people living on the streets weekly, provides three transitional housing units, and permanently houses over 40 families – with rental assistance through programs given. 

Each year, Clark County Homeless Coalition also participates in the Good Giving Challenge. 

Lenahan went into further specific details. 

“In the nation, from last year to this year, homelessness grew 16 percent. It’s actually grown a little bit more in Clark County,” he said. 

However, in explaining how the organization helped serve the homeless, Lenahan offered reason for optimism. 

“I think we have one of the most comprehensive services, definitely in the region if not the state,” he said. 

Factors for this assessment vary. 

“We have one person that’s dedicated to go out in the community; to go to the encampments [and] provide basic services for those individuals [to] make sure that they have clothes, food, [and] anything that they might need to survive the [weather] elements,” he said. 

Lenahan did note that, at times, getting others to come to Clark County Homeless Coalition can take convincing. 

“Believe it or not, animals are probably one of the top reasons why,” he said. “We know of only one shelter in Kentucky that takes animals right now.” 

Yet Clark County Homeless Coalition – which estimates serving approximately 600 individuals over a 16 county area through outreach – continues to provide outreach. 

Walk-in services are common, with an estimate of four to five weekly. 

Lenahan noted that – along with case management – workers attempt to implement teaching. 

“We try to teach independence at our shelter,” he said. “We provide them with the food…but they make their own meals, they do their own laundry, they do yard their own chores…yard work…[and] do different things,” he said. “We want them to have those basic skills, so when we do get them housed, they’ll be able to be successful.” 

As far as the public, Lenahan noted that one of the best things others can do is to refer clientele as needed. 

“We will serve them [and] we will treat them with dignity and respect that they deserve.” 

He also took little time to respond about what the most satisfying element of the job is. 

“Seeing somebody go from a negative situation to an amazing situation,” he said. “This is a wonderful job…[you get to] surround yourself with good employees that truly care about the mission.” 

Lunch at First Christian Church takes place at 12:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.