‘Tis the season for giving, and Owensboro resident Adam Patterson plans on doing a good amount of that in the near future. He said as part of his mission to exemplify what it means to be a Christian and help the community simultaneously, he has gathered a team of people who felt as passionate about helping the community as he did. Together, they have created The Local Antidote — a brand-new nonprofit organization in Owensboro that takes the act of giving to a whole new level.
The Local Antidote will be an outreach center in the city that focuses on aiding the homeless community in Owensboro. However, Patterson said there won’t be any stipulations on who “qualifies” for assistance–anyone and everyone is welcome.
“If you’re here [at The Local Antidote], that means you need it [help],” Patterson said matter-of-factly. “We’ve got the antidote to whatever problem you’ve got.”
The building Patterson and his team will be using is located at 1621 W. 9th St. and was donated to them for their efforts in helping better the community of Owensboro. One of Patterson’s major helpers in creating the organization was Ashley Vanover, the general manager at the Creme Coffee House, which Patterson also owns.
Vanover said Patterson’s idea of creating an outreach center that focused on helping the homeless community with anything and everything was what drew her to the project. The Local Antidote hopes to provide free job interview training, homework help and art classes for both kids and adults as a means of offering an artistic outlet for those on the streets. In fact, when Vanover isn’t working at the Creme, she’s often volunteering at The Local Antidote and preparing it for its official opening.
The Local Antidote will have a shower available for anyone who needs a place to clean up. Patterson said one of their goals is to give people a safe, judgement-free place to take a shower, get some clothes and be assisted with whatever else could potentially steer them in the direction to a better life. Therapy and mental health assistance is also a program Patterson and Vanover are hoping to implement. But, for these programs to work, Patterson is going to need people to step up and volunteer their time.
“Our goal is to build our community,” Vanover said.
Patterson said two semi trucks worth of goods have already been donated to The Local Antidote, meaning they already have a decent amount of products to give to those in need. However, Patterson and Vanover say they are still wanting churches and businesses to pitch in toward their mission in providing services to the homeless.
“What we need are specialty tradesmen who want to help — electricians, plumbers,” Patterson said. “We still have some construction going on. We’re still trying to get partners from different churches.”
One of Patterson’s goals is to bring the church community together by bridging the gap between isolationism of certain churches and combining everyone’s efforts toward the greater good of the community. Long story short, anyone and everyone is welcome to pitch in. Patterson feels more people in the community should play the part of a Christian, rather than just simply talk about it.
“We need people to step up and be what they said they’re going to be,” Patterson said. “This isn’t our stuff — it’s God’s.”
For the upcoming holidays, it was important to Patterson that The Local Antidote provide something for the homeless, even before their organization is fully operational. On Nov. 20th, Patterson and his team will be cooking a Community Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at 1621 W. 9th St. from 5:30 – 8 p.m.
“We’re going to put a buffet table there, and you’ll get a styrofoam container. You can stay and hang around, or you can grab some food and leave,” Patterson said, adding that anyone was invited to attend.
“You know what bridges the gap between generations?” Patterson asked. “Encouragement.”
Those who want to volunteer can reach out to Patterson via the Facebook group created for the event, or stop by the Creme anytime and speak to Vanover or Patterson about helping out. Donations will be accepted at Shelby’s Wheel & Tire at 1209 Breckenridge St.
