IRON RIVER—IIron County Samaritan Services (ICSS) is an ecumenical, Christian-based organization whose mission is to serve the homeless and the near-homeless.

ICSS has been very successful in finding clients to serve. Chairman Jim Van Doren reports that during the month of April, it has had nine applications for services, which involve 25 individuals, including 12.5 kids.

The total number of days individuals were housed in April has been 58. Because of rising fuel costs and an unsteady economic situation, the numbers needing help will most likely continue to grow. When it was decided to look into the number of homeless teenagers currently attending West Iron County High School, an informal survey found that at least 10 students are not presently living with their families and are considered undomiciled.

ICSS helps people with housing costs, coordinates aid with other agencies, works with landlords, etc., and houses those who have nowhere else to go.

Its goal is to demonstrate the community’s ability to respond to those who find themselves in crisis. The reasons for homelessness vary widely, as does the population served, but the majority of those served are women, children and teenagers.

It does not house runaways, only teens not able to return to their homes for various reasons. All teens who have been referred by other agencies, including the Iron County jail, have had no other recourse as to where to live. These children need more than just a place to live, they need people to care for and watch over them. ICSS volunteers demonstrate their concern and caring by administering to these needs and to those of all its clients.

ICSS is renting the Sturgeon House at 112 Cayuga St. in Iron River where applicants are residing. The Sturgeon House came to ICSS essentially empty and needing many repairs, but it is a sound and comfortable building.

Additionally, applicants have been housed at the Iron Inn, an expense which ICSS absorbs. The hope has been to acquire the Iron Inn to be used both as a shelter and as a source of funding for ICSS. Fund-raising to purchase this building began in December and still continues.

Although financial help is always needed, what is more urgently needed right now are more volunteers. There is only a small group of volunteers working currently.

When ICSS formed last fall, it was estimated that it would serve only a handful of applicants per month. However, the overwhelming numbers of people needing help has outgrown ICSS’ abilities to properly serve them.

ICSS needs help working with the homeless, obtaining and transporting furnishings and household supplies, fund-raising, organizational tasks, repairs to and maintenance of Sturgeon House, processing applications and public outreach, among other things.

If you are interested in volunteering, please call Sturgeon House at 265-2000 or Laura Kagy at 265-3512. Additionally, donations can be made to CoVantage Credit Union.