ASHLAND — Ashland Church Community Emergency Shelter Services has moved to our new location at 508 Claremont Avenue.

As a small non-profit program, this move and the growth ACCESS has experienced in recent years is possible because of generous donations from community members and businesses, fundraisers, grants, and of course our wonderful Church Community.

ACCESS is grateful to accept the donation of $1,981.00 from Armstrong’s Antlers and Anglers Event this year. Most importantly we were thrilled to have been invited to attend the popular Sportsman’s showcase and bring community awareness to our program.

As of June 2023 ACCESS has received 67 calls requesting services, housed 20 families or single women, including 16 children, and successfully exited 14 families from shelter into long term permanent housing. It is this community support that allows ACCESS to continue their mission of stabilizing families of Ashland County in a safe and spiritual environment.

ACCESS provides short term housing while working with program participants to remove barriers and establish services with other local support agencies. We work with our guests on basic life skills such as housekeeping, budgeting, and employment skills. We also instill in them how to advocate for themselves and how to reach out when they need help.

We believe that connection is key and we encourage guests to get involved in local community and church events. We assist guests with anything from getting on the Metropolitan Housing Authority wait lists to making appointments with local mental health services. ACCESS guests must work daily to improve their employment status and actively search for stable housing. Originally a 90 day program, ACCESS has grown to now include a limited number of transitional type housing options.

Another way for community members to learn more about ACCESS is to attend our upcoming Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, July 6th 2023 at 5:00pm hosted at our new location. We invite the community to come out and meet our staff, tour our newly renovated family unit, and enjoy raffles and refreshments. We look forward to seeing new faces and connecting with our wonderful supporters.