Wichita’s new center for homeless services has a new name: Second Light. Now it’s looking for its first executive director.
Located in the former Park Elementary School at 1025 N. Main, the shelter and service hub has previously been known as the Multi-Agency Center.
“We are excited to give this transformational project the name it deserves,” Steve Dixon, volunteer chairman of the Second Light board, said in a news release. “Second Light evokes the hope this project and place can bring to our neighbors experiencing or at risk for homelessness and points toward housing and achieving the community’s vision of functional zero homelessness.”
Second Light is expected to fully open later this year. It is describe as a “one-stop resource hub,” using several service providers to offer year-round, low-barrier shelter beds, food, housing assistance, mental health services and substance abuse resources.
According to the news release, “The initiative aligns with Wichita’s goal of achieving ‘functional zero’ homelessness which is when the number of people entering homelessness is never more than the community’s ability to house them.
Agencies and organizations participating in Second Light include HumanKind, Lord’s Diner, Breakthrough Club, City of Wichita, Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita / Sedgwick County, GraceMed Health Clinic, Hunter Health, ICT Street Team, Mental Health America of South Central Kansas, Sedgwick County COMCARE, Sedgwick County Health Department, Substance Abuse Center of Kansas, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Union Rescue Mission, United Methodist Open Door and United Way of the Plains.
Second Light has announced a search for its first Executive Director. This opportunity can be found at www.secondlightwichita.org under the News tab.
“This is an exciting opportunity for someone with great leadership and collaboration skills to create a nationally recognized program that will see results for people in our community because of the dedication of the many partners and organizations, including startup funding provided by the City of Wichita,” Dixon said. “This is important, life-changing work and will make a difference for years to come.”
Since November, HumanKind Ministries, Inc., has been providing emergency winter shelter at the site, serving hundreds of people each day, according to the Second Light website. Plans call emergency housing to be provided in a different part of the building as construction is underway at the former school.
For more information on Second Light, or how you can donate or volunteer, go to www.secondlightwichita.org.
