Preventing Homelessness One Step at a Time!
Our Mission
300+ Individuals Helped (And Counting)!
The Humanitarian Way launched as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Springfield, Missouri, on April 3, 2023. The mission of The Humanitarian Way is to provide strength-based housing solutions to the Springfield community through shelter-diversion programs that prevent homelessness and housing insecurities.
We are a foundation that carries out this mission in the fall of each year.
Shelter-diversion programs keep individuals and families from entering emergency shelters or sleeping in places not meant for human habitation. Or, by definition, becoming literally homeless. Moreover, strength-based housing solutions are the necessary resources and funds provided by The Humanitarian Way to prevent homelessness.
According to a study compiled by Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO), one adult living without a roof over his/her/their head can cost the city over $30,000 annually in policing, cleanup costs, municipal-court fees and medical expenses.
Putting a shelter-diversion initiative in place is a cost-effective approach to significantly reducing that $30,000 annual figure to $18,600. The Humanitarian Way seeks to foster change for individuals and families experiencing housing insecurities in our community of almost 170,000 residents in Springfield.
Donated to The Humanitarian Way…THANK YOU!
The Humanitarian way Story
From Founder, Dr. Sean Herring
In November 2021, one of my closest and dearest friends, William Ling and I had discussed starting a nonprofit dedicated to helping the homeless population of Springfield, Missouri. Unfortunately, William was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, passing away in February 2022.
To honor William’s memory, I began implementing plans for a nonprofit to help address homelessness in the Springfield community. Naming the nonprofit, The Humanitarian Way, seemed just right after something William relayed to me: “There may (or may not) be a right way or a wrong way to approach life; however, I like living it ‘The Humanitarian Way’.”
How The Humanitarian Way Can Help Our Clients
Solutions that Help
What It Means to be a Humanitarian
The Humanitarian Way is results-oriented with solutions to help those in our community prevent homelessness. We follow the four basic principles of being a humanitarian, which are often seen as living life as a good steward of society.
The four principles of being a humanitarian are Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality, and Independence. But how do each of those principles relate to our mission?
Humanity
A humanitarian has compassion in addressing the general welfare of others such as caring for those individuals and families suffering with housing insecurities while struggling to keep a roof over their heads and to prevent them from living on the streets or in their vehicles.
Neutrality
A humanitarian has the ability to avoid hostilities and controversies for the greater good. There are individuals and families that are one paycheck away from housing insecurities. Homelessness has no specific political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or ideology.
Impartiality
A humanitarian gives priority to the most urgent cases of distress and makes no adverse distinction about those facing housing insecurities or homelessness. This principle means that regardless of religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other backgrounds. Help is available.
Independence
A humanitarian is being autonomous from political, economic, military or any kind of other affiliations that can cause biases or not being objective. In brief, judge not, and be not judged.
Through those four principles of being a humanitarian, The Humanitarian Way is committed to climbing the steep stairs that it will take to prevent homelessness as we address this insurmountable situation in Springfield, Missouri. Our colors of red, white, and blue represent that patriotic spirit.