John Lewis Community Services (JLCS) was founded in 1989 as a community and church led response to the death of “Quiet” John Lewis who died in a house fire he started to stay warm. John Lewis Community Services has grown to include an array of programs and services at multiple sites.

Program Summary of John Lewis Community Shelter:

Primary Services provided by JLCS: Housing Services: including shelter, transitional, permanent supportive rental units, master lease program, homeownership rehab and loan programs, multi-family rehab program and single family in-fill homes. Supportive Services: Coordinated supportive services which link persons and families experiencing a housing crisis to community and housing resources, providing advocacy and a caring, professional presence to assist in directly addressing the concerns. Other services include: street outreach, computer training and access to employment readiness, search and skills programs. Community Meal Site: a service integral to the mission of JLCS. At the Café John Lewis a daily healthy, hearty and nutritious noon meal and Sunday evening meal is provided to anyone who enters its doors. The meal is served in a dignified setting, similar to a Bistro café. Neighborhood Advocacy Movement: a partnership with neighbors to develop positive changes in their neighborhood through a neighborhood watch, holiday celebrations, clean-up’s and weekly coffee gatherings. In response to neighbor led efforts the Central Community Circle neighborhood, where NAM serves is positively revitalizing and growing. Community and Housing Development Services: a service that includes housing development, construction management, property management, financial literacy programs, grant writing and research, technology services, and facilitation of collaborative projects in support of the mission of JLCS.

Specific Housing Programs of JLCS - Emergency Shelter, 1016. West 5th Street: Population Served: Homeless single men and woman, many with special needs, on separate floors with full time staff supervision. Length of stay: Shelter guests may stay for up to 30 days. Shelter guests are invited to work with a Service Coordinator to develop a plan toward self-sufficiency. Those working a “program” may receive weekly extensions to increase their length of stay. Basic services: Shelter guests are provided the most basic needs such as; a bed in a room with up to 5 other persons, personal hygiene items, shower and laundry facilities. Supportive services: Shelter guests who desire to address the issues which led to becoming homeless are welcomed to work with a Service Coordinator (Case Manager) in developing an individual service plan which includes goals and a plan to follow through with, an end goal of a quality, self-sufficient lifestyle and permanent housing.

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