(The Center Square) — The Caddo Commission unanimously approved $30,000 in emergency funding for the Jewell House Shelter this week.
Commissioner John Atkins, who previously questioned the funding, voiced his support of the ordinance on Thursday as he knows the importance of the shelter receiving the funds.
The money will come from the Oil and Gas Fund and the Riverboat Fund, and allows the shelter to remain open for an additional 90 days as it waits for grant funding from outside sources.
Pittre Walker, a community advocate for youth services, spoke to the commission earlier this month requesting emergency funds as the shelter faced closer.
“I am certainly in favor of taking care of our most vulnerable population— our kids,” said Walker to the commission Thursday. “And, making sure they have a safe, secure place to stay.”
Jewell House Shelter opened 17 years ago and can house up to six young women between the ages of 14 and 24. According to Walker, the shelter has continuously strived to help young women in the community become taxpaying citizens. Walker shared many success stories about girls who have benefitted from their services.
“There are so many reasons why we should support this shelter. For one, it is the only shelter that supports our young women in Caddo Parish, Louisiana,” said Commission President Stormy Gage-Watts in support of the funding.
The shelter works closely with schools in the community, juvenile courts, and hospital counselors to help young girls who cannot return home. The Jewell House also does not cap the stays of the young girls. According to Walker, one young girl arrived at 14 and stayed until she was 18 and a high school graduate.
