3 takeaways from the CJ's S. Ind. community event

As Paul Stensrud, director of Jesus Cares at Exit 0 in Jeffersonville, spoke Saturday at the Carnegie Center about homelessness in Southern Indiana, a group of local community leaders nodded in agreement.

He talked about housing, mental illness, addiction, and the stereotypes associated with homelessness. He spoke passionately about the mission of his organization and its progress over the last eight years.

It was clear that people who attended The Courier-Journal's community discussion at the Carnegie Center in New Albany truly care about the residents in the community. Speakers from the Carnegie Center, Jesus Cares at Exit 0 and Metro United Way hit on the region's needs and engaged in discussion. About 30 people attended the event.

Here are a few of the highlights:

1. Homelessness is a growing problem in Southern Indiana. Stensrud and others talked about all of the needs in the community -- from additional shelters, to more affordable housing and policy changes. He said an immediate need in Southern Indiana is for more places that can treat addiction and deal with mental illness.

Barbara Anderson from Haven House Services Inc. in Jeffersonville discussed poverty and the community's ability to address it in the future. She decried New Albany's plan to help build a luxury apartment complex, despite the need to address affordable and public housing in the city.

The discussion on homelessness was engaging and some interesting questions were asked about the future of the issue.

Clark, Floyd see staggering rise of homeless children; shelters overwhelmed

2. The Carnegie Center's permanent exhibit about the Underground Railroad is informative and eye-opening. Sally Newkirk, director of the Carnegie Center, shared information about the Underground Railroad that made attendees consider their current role in the community. She shared little-known facts about the Underground Railroad and its importance in New Albany as a border community.

"Where did the Underground Railroad start?" she asked the group. "It started in the hearts and minds of an enslaved person."

To learn more about the Carnegie Center's permanent exhibit, visit www.carnegiecenter.org.

3. Mentors are extremely important to young kids, and Kentuckiana children could use more of them. Pam Ottersbach, director of Southern Indiana for Metro United Way, talked about the need for kids to have mentors, especially as they go through school. She provided statistics about the positive effects of mentoring and let attendees know how to volunteer for that program. She also talked about the organization's 211 program: anyone can call the number when dealing with hardships and be connected with the resources they need.

To learn more about Metro United Way's mentor program in Southern Indiana and find ways to volunteer, go to www.metrounitedway.org.

Reporter Lexy Gross can be reached at (502) 582-4087, or via email at lgross@courier-journal.com.