For many, the living room is a place in our homes to relax — read, watch TV, hang out with people or whatever.
The organization, Clinical and Support Options has taken that concept to create The Living Room, but this space is available for anyone in need to visit during the day.
Among those in need are people who are homeless and those who may be dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse, which of course, could include those who are homeless.
“It’s a safe, non-judgmental, alternative place for people to go,” Nick Fleisher, the group’s vice president for community-based services, said.
One might also say it is also novel approach to reaching people.
The Living Room, which opened in April, is funded by a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Located at 140 High St. in Greenfield, the program has a couple of lounge rooms, a bathroom, laundry room, kitchen and a backyard.
For those staying at the homeless shelter on Wells Street, this is an alternate space as that shelter is closed during the day. (Currently, The Living Room’s hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
For those camping in the woods, this is an opportunity to take a shower, do laundry or get something to eat.
We should note the demand for shelters has not diminished this summer with the 20-bed Wells Street shelter for single people, run by ServiceNet, at full capacity and with a waiting list of about 25. The acting director says the shelter gets about 15 calls a week from people who can’t afford an apartment and need a place to sleep.
At The Living Room people can come and go — a 14-person capacity is maintained. They can stay to watch television or volunteer to do yard work.
Support groups are available, and the space is staffed solely by peer specialists — people who have had experiences similar to those who are using the program.
The peer specialists are there for a conversation or providing information about what resources are available. They can relate to what The Living Room’s visitors may be going through.
As peer specialist Anna Armstrong said, “Being in recovery is a big part of my life. It feels a lot better to be honest with people about where I’m coming from.”
Yes, Franklin County has other programs that offer meaningful services for those who need help. We are grateful for the work they do.
But what we like about The Living Room is that it gets down to the basics — like taking a shower and having clean clothes — that many of us take for granted but are so important for those who can’t.
So simple, but it works.