Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe is asking churches, nonprofit organizations and other community groups to help provide services for people experiencing homelessness following the permanent closure of the Oasis Day and Resource Center.
Moore Wolfe made the appeal Monday, October 12, as city leaders work to address the needs of people who relied on Oasis for basic services.
Heritage Behavioral Health Center, which operated Oasis, announced the center’s permanent closure October 8. Services had been suspended September 24.
Oasis provided showers, laundry facilities, access to mail and personal belongings, referrals to other services and a safe place to spend the day. City officials have said an estimated 30 to 60 people used the center each day.
Moore Wolfe said the city is exploring short-term options, including mobile shower and laundry services and access to public restrooms. Officials also are looking for a longer-term solution before colder weather arrives.
The mayor said reopening the existing Oasis building could be the quickest option and asked Heritage’s board to consider making the building available to another organization that could operate a day center.
The Continuum of Care has indicated it could help operate a day center for at least part of the day, although questions remain about who would manage the facility and its daily operations.
In the meantime, other local organizations are helping people access essential services. The city has directed residents to its community resources page and a local directory of services for people affected by the closure.
Former Oasis clients have also been given limited hours to retrieve mail and belongings. The announced schedule is Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. through November 8.
City leaders say both immediate assistance and a long-term plan are needed as Decatur works to fill the gap left by Oasis.
For more information about available services, visit the City of Decatur’s community resources page.
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