Heart of a servant: BHI seeks to provide refuge to those in need

Homelessness is not only found in large cities.

Many towns and rural communities across the nation are affected by homelessness. The Butler Homeless Initiative (BHI) seeks to serve Butler county, and to provide support for those in need.

“Butler Homeless Initiative provides a refuge for those in need who have no other place to go. At BHI you will always find a warm, dry bed, hot food, and helpful people,” the shelter said.

BHI aims to serve and support people in many different ways. Volunteers provide meals, and help keep the shelter up and running throughout the day and night. Many partners and businesses have worked with the BHI as well, such as providing supplies for pets or a free haircut.

Through the winter months, BHI has been accepting and handing out donations for winter coats, gloves, and more, as well as providing a warm place for guests to stay during the day.

“It does not matter how people end up at the Shelter. BHI helps homeless people by offering overnight refuge and meals. The guests also receive information on mental health treatment, resources on drug and alcohol addiction, housing and job searches,” the shelter said.

During a City of El Dorado City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the Butler Homeless Initiative was approved to continue to shelter guests overnight due to frigid temperatures. This approval came just one month after the city of El Dorado voted to deny a permit for a temporary homeless shelter this winter, frustrating the BHI and many community members.

The January meeting notes also detailed the history, policies, procedures and details of the BHI, including demographics of those they serve, and future plans. BHI was commissioned as a faith-based nonprofit in 2008, and has served Butler county in the years since.

“In 2016, BHI was invited by the First Church of the Nazarene, located at 202 North Taylor, to office and provide services from their church building. This location was approved by El Dorado’s fire marshal, engineering department and city manager to provide overnight shelter during the cold weather months, in addition to food, toiletries and replacement clothing. These operations were successful in providing basic services as well as assisting people with employment and housing applications; encouraging addiction treatment; recommending mental health care; and finding referrals to agencies or organizations that can meet individual’s specific needs,” the meeting notes said.

During COVID-19, they could no longer utilize the church building, but opened up day services designed to help guests move past their homelessness.

In the future, “BHI will continue to search for a building to purchase or lease that is within the perimeters of the zoning and permitting required by the City of El Dorado to operate a transitional housing facility for serving the needs of the unhoused in Butler County,” the notes state.

BHI serves guests from all walks of life, and does not discriminate. As their operations are volunteer and donation based, they are always searching for help and support. For more information, visit https://www.butlerhomelessinitiative.com/.