Coming from a nomination by Police Captain Ryan Cummings, Community Services Officer Sean Morgan was honored with a Distinguished Service Award for his consistent efforts to help homeless individuals move in a positive direction.
“His work is consistently outstanding, genuine and done with humility,” Cummings stated in his nomination letter. “When he tells me about his accomplishments, he does not need to do so in a way that is meant to build himself up. He mentions these regular achievements because he is truly excited for the people he has helped. His elation for their previously unthinkable and newfound success is infectious.”
According to Cummings, some of Morgan’s accomplishments include helping a homeless individual get their CDL reinstated so they could start working again, helping another get their dog’s vaccination records so they could be admitted into the local homeless shelter, providing guidance to someone to fill out housing applications,
and providing regular transport for people to get to government offices or treatment facilities, “which in turn helps them get one step closer to finding permanent housing, work opportunities and mental health and/or substance abuse treatment.”
Morgan shared with the council how he works with multiple departments in the city to accomplish his goal, stating “our city is engaged in trying to change the way things are,” and he praised Family Resource and Assistance Center (FAC) for their help.
The key, he said, is to break down barriers so people can change their lives.
One of the biggest obstacles, however, is navigating bureaucratic departments and regulations. Morgan cited an example of a man who’d been homeless for 30 years and in an apartment the past two years, but he was about to be on the streets again due to a misunderstanding with the Social Security Department. Morgan stepped in to do the leg work to figure out the solution.
“He’d have been on the street within weeks if the job I can do wasn’t here,” he said.
Morgan emphasized the success comes not from him, but largely from all the other organizations who have the knowledge to solve the problems he is trying to work out.
“We have come so far. There’s so many people working in our community to change this today,” he said, noting the early work contributed from Brock Byers, Shirley Byrd, Rachel Lytle, Scottie McKee and Kandyce Stirman.
“His efforts are unrelenting and his tasks are not easy, often requiring research and collaboration with nonprofits or donors,” Cummings said about Morgan. “The barriers he breaks down for homeless individuals in our community often leaves them surprised and eternally grateful.”
In other business:
- Police Chief Jason Ogden swore-in the department’s newest officer, Parker Alger.
- Library Director Megan Dazey reported she accepted a $39,000 grant to go toward technology for the library and senior center.
- Ogden provided context on the city’s role regarding concerns about local business Dad Bod Detailing. In short, the concern involved daily flushing of soaps into the storm water system, which drains directly into the river. The city made efforts to work with the business for months.
- The council held a joint work session prior to the regular meeting to participate in land use training.