‘That’s counterintuitive’: Topeka Rescue Mission talks Built For Zero, camp cleanups

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Topeka Rescue Mission (TRM) Executive Director LaManda Broyles joined the 27 Morning Show to discuss the recent developments for the organization and offer insight into what TRM’s involvement in the Built For Zero initiative could look like.

"I think we are really waiting to see when we get the data, which we have, and we start really being ready to then connect every single person by name and story with the need," Broyles said. “I’m concerned that there’s not going to be enough of the resources to connect the needs.”

Regarding the homeless camp cleanups the city has been conducting, Broyles said the rescue mission has been concerned. She said people are being relocated with nowhere to go.

“The people that are boots on the ground enforcing it are doing the best that they can, but I think we really need to start talking about what’s happening. We’re relocating people around with really nowhere for them to go. The concern also comes in when people are already on waitlist and trying to do what they need to do, and then we move them and then unfortunately here lately we’re moving them again. That’s counterintuitive.”  

A local shelter for women children and families recently underwent renovations. Broyles said TRM was able to make the renovations thanks to the generosity of the Federal Home Loan Bank's community committee.

"It's been a two-year project, the first floor has been done and the second-floor has been done," Broyles said. "Different Paint, different flooring, lots of comments already by guests of just how homey it feels."

You can watch the full interview above.

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