New full-time position will provide direct support to agencies serving unhoused residents across Sangamon County

 

The Heartland Continuum of Care (HCoC) has hired Josh Sabo as its new full-time coordinator. Sabo will be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the local system of shelters, services and housing that helps people exit homelessness in Sangamon County.

“I am excited to connect and elevate the extraordinary work being done by our local agencies serving unhoused residents across the greater Springfield area,” Sabo said. “I’m passionate about seeing our community flourish as a place where all of our neighbors are served well and given opportunities to thrive.”

Sabo has served as lead pastor at Central Baptist Church for eight years, and his volunteer experience includes serving on the board of Compass for Kids and collaborating on projects with Downtown Springfield, Inc. and Downtown Open Streets. He lives in Springfield with his wife and two children.

More than 20 direct service agencies make up the HCoC, which is Sangamon County’s planning body designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promote the community’s commitment to the goal of ending homelessness.

Fifth Street Renaissance, which oversees the HCoC’s fiscal and compliance activities, will employ Sabo while his office will be located across the street at M.E.R.C.Y. Communities, which serves as the HCoC’s homeless management information system administrator.

“This is an important step forward for the Heartland Continuum of Care,” Fifth Street Renaissance Executive Director Penny Powell said. “Having a coordinator will provide much-needed support to the dozens of agencies in the Continuum working together to reduce homelessness in our community.”

Funding for the first year of the position is provided in part by grants from the Jane and Paul Ford Family Fund and Sommer Family Fund at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln as well as the City of Springfield.