Photos show homelessness in county

Photo exhibit will be displayed at Gawthrop Greenwood

Photographs illustrating the issue of homelessness in Chester County will be on display at a local law firm.

WEST CHESTER » Photographs illustrating the issue of homelessness in Chester County will be on display at a borough law firm’s offices beginning next week, according to the United Way of Chester County.

Beginning Monday and running through June 23, the “Humanizing Homelessness in Chester County” display will be available to view at the Gawthrop Greenwood firm, located at 17 E. Gay St. in West Chester. Residents are encouraged to visit and view this moving exhibit which puts a real face on the problem of homelessness in the state’s wealthiest county.

On any given night, nearly 600 individuals in Chester County, including families, are without permanent housing. Some are in shelters while others are left unsheltered when shelter beds are full.

For United Way of Chester County President and CEO Claudia Hellebush, homelessness is “frustrating because it is a fixable problem. In this particular community, it’s going to take a lot of people coming to the table, but it’s doable.

“I think this exhibit is going to significantly raise the level of awareness for people in our community,” said Hellebush.

With a goal of ensuring safe, affordable and permanent housing for those at risk of homelessness, the county Department of Community Development has developed the “Decade to Doorways” initiative – a 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness. The department leads a coalition of government agencies, service providers, educators, healthcare professionals, faith communities, funders, businesses, and members of the public to develop strategic and evidence based action plans. The aim is to effectively end homelessness in the county by 2022 by making it rare, brief and non-reoccurring.

The United Way of Chester County, in support of the program, coordinated the photo display with local artist Linda Braceland, who developed the pieces, supported by local companies.

“Humanizing Homelessness” began its roadshow at Bentley Systems, Inc., followed by Chester County Economic Development Council, CTDI, Fulton Bank, and CCIU with more to come. If you would like to host the photo exhibit at your corporation please contact United Way of Chester County at 610-429-9400.

To learn how you can help, or for more information about Decade to Doorways, visit www.decadetodoorways.org.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.