26th annual cold weather shelter program begins

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Just last spring, Sherry Gray was dealing with her share of difficulties, but within a short time she found herself surrounded by supportive people and with a job.

A major force in the Youngstown woman’s turnaround was the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, which provided her with shelter, spiritual guidance and transportation. From there, she went to the Beatitude House, enrolled in a 30-day job-training program at Goodwill Industries Inc. and got a part-time position at Walmart in Boardman, she said.

“The Rescue Mission helped me get around positive people who were on the same page I was. I know I will accomplish what I’m trying to accomplish,” Gray said during a news conference Tuesday at the mission on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near downtown.

The gathering was to kick off the 26th annual Cold Weather Emergency Shelter program, a coordinated effort to further reach out and provide resources to people who are homeless during the winter and to end homelessness in the Mahoning Valley.

Hosting the program, which runs through March 31, is Help Hotline Crisis Center Inc.

Beforehand, several dozen outreach workers as well as members of Help Hotline, Veterans Affairs, Catholic Charities Regional Agency, the Mental Health Recovery Board and others took part in the eighth annual Homeless Walk from the Covelli Centre to the Rescue Mission.

The mile walk was to raise greater awareness of homelessness in the Valley and advocate for those who are homeless.

“We don’t want anyone in the cold,” said Vince M. Brancaccio, Help Hotline’s chief executive officer. “Call 211 if you’re homeless, and we will work as hard as we can to get the person a place to stay.”

Help Hotline has a database to assess callers’ needs and will arrange transportation for those who need a ride to the mission during the winter, Brancaccio noted, adding that the agency also provides crisis-intervention and suicide-prevention services.

Help Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is valuable partly because of an increase in the number of people who need emergency shelter and housing, Brancaccio continued.

“There is a warm place in the Valley this winter,” said Jim Echement, the Rescue Mission’s executive director.

The mission has about 131 clients, including families, and works toward connecting clients with agencies and organizations that “can take them to the next step,” he explained.

The facility also is prepared to implement emergency measures to accommodate the anticipated large number of men, women and children who will need temporary shelter this winter, Echement noted.

Along those lines, Rescue Mission personnel plan to meet Thursday to discuss a plan to help avoid overcrowding at the facility, Echement said, adding that he’s trying to encourage clients to consolidate their belongings so as to maximize the available space.

Gray, who spent two months at the mission beginning last May, praised the facility for empowering her to get back on her feet.

“I know that if I can do it, anyone can,” she added. “When you come to the Rescue Mission, you will get help.”