by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
A Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, a veteran who has experienced homelessness and addiction and a single mother of three share ties across the common bond of affordable, attainable and sustainable housing.
Their backgrounds and lifestyles are different. Yet, their goals overlap. And, their stories are interwoven through the mission and efforts of Depaul USA-Leavenworth Attainable Housing (LAH), a program dedicated to helping individuals with housing insecurities become and remain successfully housed.
Sister Amy Willcott, SCL
Vincentian values resonate
Sister Amy Willcott, of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL), literally grew up in the neighborhood in which most of the rental properties currently owned or managed by LAH are located.
“This is my neighborhood,” she said of the area that encompasses several churches, including Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph parishes. “I loved growing up here.”
Since last April when she became the LAH program director, Sister Amy has developed new ties with the neighborhood and the surrounding community. She’s had to learn the lingo of housing, real estate and construction.
But with a background in social work and administration, she has worked with persons of all ages and developed programs and services to help them.
“I know the people part,” she said. “And I don’t mind asking for dollars from different sources to fund our program. I’m becoming much more familiar with housing needs.”
Plus, Sister Amy had a great mentor in the person of Sister Vickie Perkins, also a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth who founded LAH, and before that, led what evolved into Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope (COH). The latter provides resources, a day center and shelter for persons who are homeless. Sister Amy has served on the COH board of directors since 2023. She began volunteering at Depaul USA in October 2023.
A visioning session with staff from both Depaul USA and COH piqued Sister Amy’s interest in the possibility of a future continuum of care serving individuals facing challenges with housing.
“Hearing the staff speak with respect for the people with whom they work was like hearing St. Vincent de Paul talk,” Sister Amy said, referencing the 17th-century priest to whom the SCL community traces its roots.
Vincentian spirituality and values attracted her to the role she’s assumed with LAH. She explained that St. Vincent was a strong advocate for the poor. He was action-oriented and focused on systemic change. He actively fostered collaboration to address needs. Depaul USA models these commitments.
Sister Amy identified housing as a basic human need.
“People need a place to live and grow into their potential. We have opportunities and the responsibility to help them. The Gospel tells us the work we’re called to — not only as Catholics and Christians, but as human beings.”
Sister Amy has been an SCL for 41 years. Her ministries have included direct service in health care and social work and 25 years in nonprofit administration. Most recently, from 2016 to 2022, she was a member of the SCL leadership team.
Chris Leach
Lived experience
Chris Leach has been there, done that. He was born in Wyandotte County and attended high school and later college in St. Joseph, Missouri. He served in the Army for three years followed by 10 years dealing with addiction, mental health issues and homelessness.
Leach eventually received treatment through the Veterans Affairs domiciliary program in Leavenworth. He left that program on a HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher for veterans experiencing homelessness. Through VASH, Leach had housing with case management services for two years. He eventually took a job with Mental Health America of the Heartland managing a supportive housing program in Leavenworth for nine years. Over time, Leach became a homeowner.
In February 2023, he began his job as housing support specialist with Depaul USA-Leavenworth Attainable Housing (LAH). He not only had practical work experience; he had the lived experience of homelessness.
“So many people helped me,” he said. “Now, I can help others. This gives me purpose in life.”
Leach also appreciates that he found a supportive community in Leavenworth. He first met Sister Vickie when he was involved with the annual Point in Time count of persons who are homeless. He also shared information with her about supportive housing as an approach to help people be successful in remaining housed.
In his job with LAH, Leach has found residents open and forthcoming during weekly appointments about problems they may be having. He addresses issues with them ranging from housing to physical health, mental health or food. He has helped residents complete food stamp applications and picked up items for them at a food pantry. He also assists with basic home repairs. Additionally, Leach connects residents with resources such as workforce development.
He is quite knowledgeable about housing and active with the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition. Leach routinely gets to know guests at the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope and offers advice and recommendations based on his own experience.
Everyone he interacts with is invited to complete a survey and put their names on a list for housing. This coordinated entry list is shared with the statewide coalition and is the major source used to identify potential candidates for housing opportunities.
Leach explained that selection criteria require that applicants be employed or have an income; engage in weekly supportive housing appointments; maintain upkeep of their homes; and attend financial education sessions and monthly gatherings for residents of LAH properties.
“Homelessness is everybody’s problem,” Leach said. “It affects us all.”
Leach would like to see LAH create enough housing so that homelessness in the city is rare.
“We can solve homelessness,” Leach said simply.
Tay Denson
A place to call home
Leaving an abusive marriage and becoming a single mom of three, Tay Denson faced challenges enough.
Magnifying the situation were worries associated with living in rental properties that weren’t properly maintained. One landlord refused to fix anything. Denson had no refrigerator and had problems with mold, mice and the electricity.
An earlier landlord sold the property out from under her without prior notification, forcing her and her children to move.
It was a godsend when Denson’s aunt learned that Leavenworth Attainable Housing was looking for someone to rent a property that was being renovated. Since December 2022, the Denson family has been at home in a two-story, three-bedroom house.
At 36 years young, Denson has a new lease of life.
“I will be forever grateful to Sister Vickie Perkins and the staff of Depaul USA-Leavenworth Attainable,” she said fervently.
Handy with crafts, Denson has decorated her home with items she’s made. Her two daughters, ages 10 and 8, share a room; her 15-year-old son is the man of the house. Denson is employed providing delivery services. Every time she returns to the house, she is grateful for having a place she can proudly call home.
Plus, Denson has widened her circle of family and friends. Anticipating an upcoming surgery earlier this year, she worried about getting her daughters to school. Not a problem. Sister Amy Willcott, LAH director, and two other Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth came to the rescue and transported the girls until Denson had clearance to drive.
She previously felt like just another number in a landlord’s rent collection book. Now Denson can’t say enough good things about LAH. She and her family enjoy the regular social gatherings. Her children play with another child who lives in a nearby LAH rental property.
“Everybody is really friendly and respectful,” said Denson. “No matter what your situation, there’s no judgment, and you are treated with respect, which makes you feel welcomed, loved — appreciated for just being yourself.”
Denson values her weekly appointments with Chris Leach, housing support specialist. She’s set goals and shares progress updates. With tools she’s learned from financial education, Denson has raised her credit score and is working to build credit.
Her goal is to someday own her own house.
But there is time for that.
“At the end of the day, being able to provide shelter for our families in a positive way is priceless,” she said. “I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”
Working to provide affordable, attainable, sustainable housing in Leavenworth
Begun in mid-2021, Depaul USA-Leavenworth Attainable Housing (LAH) strives to provide housing that is affordable, attainable and sustainable for persons who are currently homeless or on the verge of homelessness. LAH minimizes barriers to allow residents to access and maintain housing. No deposit is required and utilities are covered by monthly rent that is capped at 30% of household income. Supportive services include weekly individual appointments with the housing specialist to identify and resolve challenges and discuss opportunities.
LAH currently owns or manages 19 housing units. Fourteen of the units — most of which are houses — are occupied. Other units are being rehabbed for occupancy over the next several months.
LAH secures housing in several ways. The program has used grant funding to purchase and rehab or build the houses and duplexes it owns. Leavenworth churches and individuals have invited LAH to manage houses they own. LAH does the rehab and receives the rent which helps support the program’s goal of getting people housed. LAH has also accepted donations of property. Financial support for LAH comes from rental income, grants, fundraising, churches that regularly support the program and individual donors.
LAH is a program of Depaul USA, a national homeless services nonprofit organization that has grown over the past 15 years to offer programs in 12 cities. The national organization provides back-office support, grant-writing assistance and access to best practices for local programs.
To donate a house, inquire about property management or make a financial contribution to Depaul USA-Leavenworth Attainable Housing, contact Sister Amy Willcott, LAH program director, at (913) 297-2965 or send an email to: sr.amy.willcott@depaulusa.org.
