Transitional Home Faces Closure
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Updated: 7:39 PM Jun 21, 2008
Transitional Home Faces Closure
A home that comes to the rescue of many eastern Kentucky homeless people may soon have to close
Posted: 7:18 PM Jun 21, 2008
Reporter: Kimberly Burcham
Email Address: kimberly.burcham@wymtnews.com
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A home that comes to the rescue of many eastern Kentucky homeless people may soon have to close

The Dove House in Prestonsburg has helped those less fortunate for the past five years, but money troubles may force the organization dedicated to helping others to sell their building.

Ramona Aiken says it's her calling in life to help those less fortunate in Floyd County. That’s why she says she opened Dove House. It’s a transitional home in Prestonsburg for people who need a place to live, food to eat and help getting on their feet. Now, five years later, Aiken has a heartfelt story for every person who's found help at Dove House.

She got out of that vehicle and she threw that bag of clothes down. Fell to my chest and just balled," Dove House President Ramona Aiken said.

She says they just don't have the money or the room to help everyone and she has a tearful story for every family she's had to turn away.

"Knowing they had nowhere to lay their head. They had not had a decent meal in forever and eternity, but we didn't have anywhere to put them. It breaks our hearts," Ramona Aiken said.

Aiken says lack of funding is forcing them to put dove house up for sale.

"No I don't want to sell it, but when you can't pay your bills you don't have a choice," Aiken said.

"I've already cried because it would be heart breaking to us," Dove House secretary Elaine Stricklin said.

Now they say they're just hoping the community will realize how many homeless people there are in Floyd County and fight to keep dove house open.

"Help us to stay open. Help us to help those are not as fortunate as some of us others are," Aiken said.

“I know they can't give everything but something would be better than nothing," Stricklin said.

Aiken and Strickin say the main thing they provide for those in need, is hope and now they're hoping to stay open.

Dove House, Inc. Contact Information:

P.O. Box 493 KY RT 321 Prestonsburg, KY 41653

3490 KY Route 321 Prestonsburg, KY

President Ramona Aiken: (606) 226-2011


Latest Comments

Posted by: RKB on Jul 1, 2008 at 12:32 PM

Charles, when you are hungry and tired you need food and rest--not someone telling you how to get a job or check.Have you ever tried to get a job when you were dirty, had no decent clothes, and had no transporatation? what if you were mentally ill and no one wanted you and you had to live on the streets? You think about that the next time you lay your head down on your clean, soft pillow.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: charles Location: lost creek on Jun 24, 2008 at 11:40 PM

well I think you need to be helpin these homeless people to get a job or a check rember you cant help people when they wont help thier self wake up
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Judy Location: Prestonsburg on Jun 22, 2008 at 12:44 AM

Thank you so much for reporting this great need to the people of Eastern Kentucky. I work in housing, and I know the many families that are homeless. I have sent several to The Dove House for assistance. They help as much as they are able. The recent survey by The Kentucky Housing Corp., showing that there are around seven homeless people in Floyd County, is not an accurate picture of the true number of homeless.
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