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GCED Plant Managers Roundtable
Features Camp Graves
The latest Plant Manager’s Roundtable, hosted by Graves County Economic Development (GCED), featured an overview of Camp Graves, a local non-profit that serves the community by providing temporary housing and supportive services for survivors of disasters and those who have been displaced by circumstances beyond their control.
“We are a resource for local employers,” said Cassy Basham, the Camp’s Executive Director. “We have worked with companies to provide housing for employees who have lost homes to fires, floods, or other disasters, as well as those experiencing domestic violence, health emergencies, and other crises. By providing safe, secure housing, we make sure employees can continue to work and be productive.”
Camp Graves also maintains a “Resource Bank,” that employers can use to help connect employees with services. “We want to eliminate the barriers to finding resources,” said Basham. “Access to resources is the greatest barrier to needs fulfillment.”
Founded in the wake of the 2021 tornado, Camp Graves has evolved and broadened its mission to meet critical, ongoing needs in the community.
This year alone, Camp Graves has housed 32 households, including 14 families with children. They are the only temporary housing provider in the area that can house families together utilizing a series of independent units. They are also the only shelter housing organization with a facility devoted to housing and meeting the needs of military veterans, including veterans with families.
Camp Graves has a 95% success rate in moving residents to stability and into permanent housing. “Homelessness is not the problem, it's the symptom,” explained Basham. “You’ve got to work on the why. We use an external resource support network. We provide housing. We provide supportive services. But to sustain themselves and break the cycles of homelessness, our clients have to become self-sufficient and reach a level that allows them to break the behaviors that brought them here.”
GCED President Jason Lemle said he appreciates Camp Graves leadership for being part of the Roundtable and sharing the role they play with our local business and industry leaders. “Every now and again people run up against challenges that seem impossible to overcome,” said Lemle. “Camp Graves gives people an opportunity to get their feet back underneath them. I would encourage people to look at what they offer and how it impacts the region and our community.”
The bi-monthly Plant Manager’s Roundtable meetings offer an easy way for industry leaders to network and learn more about local programs and projects that could impact their companies. Subjects vary and attendees are encouraged to provide programming suggestions. The next Roundtable will be held in October. For more information, contact GCED at 270.247.0626.
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