ASSISTANCE Help Hotline finds shelter for homeless

YOUNGSTOWN -- With the arrival of winter, Help Hotline is back in business to find shelter for the homeless.
Homeless people or families can call (800) 427-3606 or 211 now through March 31. People who are aware of a person in need of shelter also can call.
Help Hotline, now in its 15th year, contacts the Rescue Mission on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to find space and arranges transportation to the shelter.
Last winter, the hot line received 1,612 telephone calls and helped 576 people find shelter.
The program is funded by the city, Mahoning County Mental Health Board and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, Jewish Federation, Catholic Charities, Frances Schermer Charitable Trust and the Rescue Mission.
Assisting Help Hotline are Addiction Programs of Mahoning Valley, Greater Youngstown Point, Parkview Counseling, Independent Radio Taxi, Mahoning County Chemical Dependency Program, Mahoning County Homeless Coalition, Neil Kennedy Recovery Center, Northeast Ohio Legal Services and the Youngstown Police Department.
For more information, contact either Duane Piccirilli or Bob Altman at Help Hotline's administrative offices at (330) 747-5111.