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Adam
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Perhaps some day Flint/Genesee county can get one or two full time homeless shelter.
North Mission of Hope to open area's only day shelter this week
FLINT, Michigan -- Although Flint has several homeless shelters that give people a warm place to sleep at night,
the homeless generally are left out in the cold during the day.
Until now.
Mission of Hope Universal Life Church on Thursday will open the area's only homeless shelter to provide services during the day. An open house will be held Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m. at 4618 Roberts St.. The day shelter will open its doors the following day and operate from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
"This is a place they can call home," said volunteer Diane LaFave, 62, of Flint.
Mission of Hope Pastor Bobby Jackson said he recognized the need for a day shelter nearly two years ago while riding the bus. He overheard two homeless men discussing where they planned to spend the day. One was headed to the public library, the other to a hospital.
"No one else is doing this," said Jackson, who also serves on the Genesee County Homeless Awareness Task Force. "We don't want to duplicate existing services."
The church will hold services for the public in the shelter as well. It hopes to renovate its former church building on North Saginaw Street, which has been closed because of disrepair.
The day shelter will provide the homeless with a place to take a shower, have breakfast, get mail and telephone messages, watch a movie and play board games. A handyman service will operate out of the day shelter, providing jobs for homeless people who want to do yard work, home repairs or assist contractors with building projects.
"You can't find any better activity," said Leonard Woolridge, 60, of Flint, who spends his nights at a homeless shelter in Flint, was pitching in Monday to get the day shelter ready for its opening.
Because Genesee County has a high rate of illiteracy, which is even worse among the homeless, the shelter also will offer tutoring in math and reading. Classes will be offered in various subjects including coping with depression, hygiene, money management and Bible study.
The shelter also will have its own garden.
"We're not here to put a Band-Aid on the problem," Jackson said. "We're trying to make a difference. If they just want to sit and be, that's fine, too. They're not required to do anything to get breakfast."
Jackson said the day shelter has no funding other than donations. About 60 volunteers have been working to open the shelter, housed in a rented building that once was a doctor's office.
People who want to donate, volunteer or hire workers can call (810) 282-2510. Topping Jackson's wish list is a hot water heater so homeless people can have hot showers. The shelter has a dryer, but needs a washing machine. And Jackson hopes to get a van so he can pick people up from shelters where they spend the night.
Jackson said the latest count, conducted in January, documented 449 homeless people in Genesee County. He believes the actual number is at least four times higher.
Some homeless people find shelter with friends or family members, Jackson said.
Others live illegally in abandoned buildings, while others sleep in parks, under bridges or on the streets. They face threats to their safety. Many are sick or mentally ill. Most of the homeless are women and many are war veterans.
"Daily life is difficult," Jackson said. "The poor have trouble getting food, shelter and medical care. They suffer from malnutrition and poor health and a loss of dignity and self respect."
Flint Journal extras North Mission of Hope
• What: Day shelter for the homeless
• Location: North Mission of Hope, 4618 Roberts St.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday
• Contact: (810) 282-2510 |
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Adam
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Mysearchisover.com
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Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:28 am |
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back again
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i wish them well.    |
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even a small act of goodness may be a tiny raft of salvation across the treacherous gulf of sin, but one who drinks the wine of selfishness, and dances on the little boat of meaness, sinks in the ocean of ignorance.
P.Y. |
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Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:25 pm |
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