The number of people receiving assistance from the Jackson County Cold Night Out Shelter went from 60 in the first winter to 75 last winter.
As people navigate winter weather and the COVID-19 pandemic this year, Director Sondra Gentry expects that number to increase.
The third season of the overnight emergency shelter starts Dec. 5 and runs through Feb. 26.
“This winter, we are faced with a pandemic that requires additional safeguards in the way we will operate, but surely that will not stop us from helping others get back to living a healthy independent life,” Gentry said.
Local churches have until Nov. 20 to sign up to serve as a host site. The site typically changes to a different church from week to week.
In 2019-20, volunteers staffed shelters at Bethel Community Church, The Point, Cornerstone Community Church, Seymour Christian Church, St. Ambrose Catholic Church and Seymour Harvest Church, all in Seymour.
Also, The Alley, which runs out of First Baptist Church in Seymour, served as the intake site each day last winter. Once they signed in and ate a meal, guests were transported to the host church, where they stayed from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
There also was a day shelter from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays at Seymour Harvest Church.
In helping people, Gentry said they look at five areas: Medically, physically, socially, emotionally and education. The guests set goals for themselves and what they want to accomplish, including obtaining housing, making a budget, getting a job and pursuing education.
“We call it a handup, not a handout,” she said. “Anybody that comes through, they get a plan, and we work on that plan to try to get them stable.”
Along with day and night shelter housing last winter, guests received assistance in the form of car transportation, bus passes, hotel housing, haircuts, prescriptions and meals.
One guest received help purchasing a car, while another was provided funds to complete their high school diploma. Plus, guests had medical and dental care paid for and received assistance with clothing, toiletries and bedding.
Center for Congregations provided funding for equipment, transportation, training, showers, laundry, office supplies and consultant activities, Gentry said.
Churches, businesses and organizations, like State Farm Insurance, Southern Indiana Flying Eagles, Knights of Columbus, The Alley, Genesis Church of Seymour, Reddington Christian Church, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Unity Churches, Church of God and Blush and Brush Beauty Bar, and many individuals came alongside to keep the shelter operating, Gentry said.
“But that’s not all,” she said. “At season end, you provided furniture, bikes and food for guests to move into their own apartments. Truly, you gave a hand up 75 times at a value of $47,649.”
This year, she has issued a challenge.
“Can we do it again?” Gentry asked. “The weather is changing, and the time is upon us to meet the challenge of offering a hand up to one another as we navigate both winter weather and pandemic.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
For information about Jackson County Cold Night Out Shelter or to serve as a host site, call the Rev. Sondra Gentry at 317-590-2595 or visit facebook.com/coldnightout.
[sc:pullout-text-end]