The American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter in Lipscomb’s Student Activities Center to house residents of Parenthon Towers, who were displaced due to a fire and electrical issues late Monday night and may need temporary housing for several days.
Monday night 172 guests from Parthenon Towers stayed on campus, and 149 were still there Tuesday night, according to Kim Chaudoin, director of university communication and marketing.
Parthenon Towers is a senior and disabled citizens housing unit located near Centennial Park and operated by the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. University officials said the residents will be allowed to return home after the fire marshal determines the apartment complex is safe.
It is unclear how long the shelter will be open, but Lipscomb and the Red Cross are prepared to house guests through the weekend, Chaudoin said.
“Right now it looks like we’re going to be in operation till Sunday,” Chaudoin said. “I guess MDHA is just continuing to try to resolve whatever problems they have at Parthenon Towers. It may not be that long, but maybe the folks will be pleasantly surprised if they get back in before then.”
Nan Hensley, executive assistant to university relations, said a mix of student workers, full time staff, members of the Quest Team and others arrived on campus around midnight Monday night to make preparations for the residents, and more people have assisted with the shelter since then.
“We’ve had a great response from the Lipscomb community,” Hensley said.
Chaudoin said volunteers are still needed to help Red Cross workers at meal times as long as the shelter is open.
Hensley said having the shelter on campus allows Lipscomb to be a Christian example.
“I just feel it gives us an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community,” she said. “It was an opportunity to see our students do an amazing thing. I like to think it’s a different type of shelter.”
Chaudoin said Lipscomb’s customer service is what sets it apart.
“I think what makes us different is that level of service. We don’t just stick them in the SAC with cots,” she said, explaining that staff members are designing activities for the residents while they’re staying at Lipscomb. “Having the staff and students come and serve the meals and sit at the table with them and talk to them and be a community for them… We tend to go that extra step and look at the person and realize they’re not in an ideal situation and try to make it feel a little more like home for them.
“I think it’s just part of who we are at Lipscomb,” Chaudoin continued. “It reflects itself in a lot of different ways, and in this particular situation, it’s really about treating them like guests.”
To volunteer in the shelter by serving meals with the Red Cross, email anamarie.knapp@lipscomb.edu.