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In the article published on December 20, 2023 titled, “ Turnaround taking over White Flag efforts in county”, it was stated that Mark 12 is unable to continue operating the shelter.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide the reasons why we are not involved with the operation of the current shelter.
Mark 12 opened the first Bullitt County White Flag shelter during the winter of 2018-19 at Mercy Hill Church in Shepherdsville. Due to the COVID outbreak at the detention center in 2022, the shelter was moved to the Shepherdsville Community Center through a partnership with (the previous) Mayor Curtis Hockenberry.
A lease was signed with Mayor Hockenberry to use the same location again from November 2, 2022 to March 31, 2023. There was a change in administration with a new Mayor taking office in January 2023.
Mark 12 Ministries was notified by Mayor Cubero that he was terminating the lease early and we needed to vacate the premises by the end of February because he had committed the building to be used by another organization.
Mayor Cubero stated in a voicemail on March 13, 2023, “We have decided as a committee that we are going to run our own homeless program”. He added, “I appreciate that you are interested, but Shepherdsville is going to take care of it ourselves.”
In a press release dated August 25, 2023, Mark 12 announced that we would not be operating the Bullitt County White Flag Shelter. Mark 12 has continued to offer support and resources for the operation of a shelter but our calls have been ignored.
Since its inception, Mark 12 Ministries has advocated for open conversation and cooperation among the city councils and county fiscal court to address the issues related to poverty and homelessness in Bullitt County.
Mark 12 Ministries will continue to provide resources to those in need through our other programs. Anyone with questions can contact Perry Cooke at 502-240-7543 or email Perry@Mark12.org.
Grace and Peace,
Perry Cooke
Executive Director
