Rising homeless number takes toll on social services

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The growing number of homeless people in the Mahoning Valley is straining the network of social and health services that help them find food, shelter and medical care.
In the 2005-06 program year, some 418 individuals used the Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program, administered by Help Hotline crisis intervention agency. The year before, 2004-05, some 315 individuals sought emergency shelter, said Robert Altman, Help Hotline program director.
Altman said he expects even more need during the 2006-07 program, which began Dec. 1 and runs through March 31, 2007. Also, he noted, women and children represented the largest portion of the increase.
Funding for the cold weather shelter program comes from the public and private sectors, Altman said. People can call "211" or toll-free at (800) 427-3606 to get shelter and help for the night at the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The Rescue Mission, Mahoning County's only temporary emergency shelter, has 144 beds, 54 of which are in the men's dormitory for overnight shelter.
With the lower temperatures, "we've already seen nights with 50 beds occupied and we are averaging in the 40s," said the Rev. David Sherrard, mission administrative director.
The men can stay overnight at the Rescue Mission, from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. After that, they are on their own for the day or can make their way to The Greater Youngstown Point drop-in center at the New Beginnings Outreach at 322 Wick Ave.
There, snacks, books, television and a warm place to spend the day are available. They can also shower and wash clothing and talk to counselors who will help them access social services, said Michelle Evans, a nurse with the Youngstown District Board of Health who is in charge of care and outreach for the homeless.
Long-term residents
The rest of the Rescue Mission beds are for permanent residents, mostly women and children.
For those in long-term residency, the first thing that is done is to get school-age children enrolled in school, Evans said. "We like to keep kids in their own school system, if possible ... and keep life as normal as possible for them," she said.
The resident adults are urged to get into training programs to make themselves more employable, she said.
Evans, who the Rev. Mr. Sherrard calls "a gift to the community," dispenses medicines, flu shots, does tuberculosis testing, makes sure people are taking their medications and keeping medical appointments, and that they have a primary physician rather than using hospital emergency rooms. Much of that is accomplished with the help of the St. Elizabeth Health Center's mobile clinic, which brings doctors and health care to the homeless, she said.
Though Evans' main goal is medical treatment, often social services must come first.
"I can't sit there and talk to them about their blood pressure when they don't know where they are going to stay or where their next meal is coming from," she said.
Street people
Most of her clients are at the Rescue Mission, but there are a few true street people, even at this time of year.
With the cold weather program in effect, everyone who is out on the street -- she estimates the number to be about 10 -- chooses to be there. They actually are not on the street, but live in a fairly elaborate makeshift shelter they have constructed along the Mahoning River, she said.
"Most of the people who chose that lifestyle are true survivalists and do very well on their own until something trips them up, such as illness," Mr. Sherrard said.
"A lot of those who stay out don't want to follow rules. We check on them, but the only ones we force in are those with mental illness, or a family with children," she said.
The Rescue Mission, which does not accept governmental or United Way funding, exists on private donations.
"I'm very proud of the greater Youngstown area and its people, who are very generous and caring. I count it an honor to be from the Mahoning Valley and Youngstown," said Mr. Sherrard, who has been here 17 years.
"I love what God has called me to do ... getting people to where they need to be, which is not necessarily always where they want to be," he said.
Winter Wonderland
A timely example of the community's generosity is the Rescue Mission's Winter Wonderland, which is what the mission's warehouse on Glenwood Avenue is converted to at this time of year. Its shelves are filled by volunteers with gifts, clothing and toys in preparation for Rescue Mission residents shopping for gifts for their children, brothers and sisters and parents.
Everyone will have a present to open on Christmas morning, and every child will receive a surprise from the mission. Many of the children here have never seen a Christmas like they see here, Mr. Sherrard said.
"The greatest thing we bring our clients is hope for tomorrow while they are getting help for today," he said.
It is difficult to not be in their own homes any time, but particularly at Christmas, he noted. "But while they are here, we want them to consider the Rescue Mission their home ... and treat each other with love, dignity and respect."
Though there is a special outpouring of giving and caring during the Christmas season, Mr. Sherrard noted that the mission is open all day every day of the year. "People need to realize that the need continues," he said.
alcorn@vindy.com