UNDER ONE ROOF CONCEPT GAINS STRENGTH.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Daily News Staff Writer

An effort to create a one-stop social service center for the homeless and needy, which also would make it easier for agencies to share resources, is gaining momentum in Simi Valley.

Since the idea for Under One Roof was proposed by the Rotary Club of Simi Valley in January, it has taken hold and now includes nearly two dozen people working to make it a reality.

``The idea has legs - a lot of people share in this idea,'' said Don Brummett, a member of the Under One Roof Committee. ``Just how and when and where are still questions.''

Under One Roof is conceived as a building where service agencies can set up their operations for free or at a drastically reduced rate. It would give them access to each other for easy referrals and make it easier to help clients in one place.

The committee next will gather information on the hundreds of service agencies operating in and around Simi Valley - including private, nonprofit, religious and county-operated groups - to determine who might be interested in participating.

Committee members said their goal is to bring diverse agencies together to eliminate duplication of services.

``Many of the human service agencies are trying to meet these needs on their own,'' said Brandon Cho, senior pastor of the United Methodist Church and committee member. ``There are several Lone Rangers out there, and what we're trying to do is bring them together to work as a team.''

At its meeting Thursday, the group approved a mission statement that its goal is ``to provide an affordable center to facilitate a collaborative network of accessible human services.''

On its own, the city of Simi Valley has launched a task force to study many of the same issues the Under One Roof committee will be dealing with.

Cho and Brummett, both members of the city's Task Force on Homelessness, said the Roof project will likely play some part in whatever recommendation the task force makes to the City Council in the fall.

The committee also is reaching out to other areas of the county to help bring the idea to life. There already is an Under One Roof in the Conejo Valley, but nothing like it in Moorpark.

``Moorpark on its own may not have all the resources to get this thing off the ground,'' Cho said. ``We may need each other.''

Moorpark Councilman Chris Evans said he is interested in attending one of the committee's monthly meetings to determine if it would be beneficial to join in the effort.

He said that unlike Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, the city of Moorpark does not have a significant homeless population.

``We're fairly different in that regard, but there are ways that I think it can be beneficial for segments of our community, and I'm interested in finding that out,'' Evans said.