Robinson’s story will be one of six featured next Tuesday (May 25th) in a benefit for Partners Place, a supported living project designed to get hardcore homeless people off the street.
Sponsored by the Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition, “Helping the Homeless” will begin at 7 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, 115 S.W. Second St.
Based on interviews with a half-dozen Corvallis street people, local writers Jane Sivetz and Wendy Madar compiled condensed versions of their life stories, which will be read at the event.
Local musicians Paul Pritchard and Cassandra Robertson will perform as well.
The coalition hopes to buy and renovate a fire-damaged apartment building at Northwest Harrison Boulevard and 17th Street. Partners Place would house 14 to 18 people and connect them with support services designed to help them become independent and stay off the streets.
The organization must raise $85,000 in matching funds by November in order to qualify for $250,000 in federal housing money. Additional grants will be used to cover the $780,000 purchase price of the building, renovation costs and startup expenses.
Residents would pay one-third of their income in rent, and most would likely qualify for government housing subsidies, which would help pay for services and upkeep on the building.
Admission to “Helping the Homeless” is free, but attendees will be asked to contribute to the Partners Place project. For reservations, contact Gina Umble at 541-754-7380 or e-mail gkumble@gmail.com.
