Homelessness and Shelters

Homeless shelters can be life savers for people who don’t have a place to stay overnight. But for people in Greater Newburyport, the nearest shelter, except for some very cold nights, is at Emmaus House in Haverhill. And it is always full. What is it like to stay in a shelter? Why do some people stay and others don’t? What services are provided? And how do shelters provide a stepping stone to housing security? What does it take to set up and run a shelter? What happens when it is very cold in town; what challenges does temporary sheltering engender?
 
Hear perspectives on these and other questions on Wednesday, May 23^rd, at 7 pm at Central Congregational Church in Newburyport. Major Todd Hughes from The Salvation Army will describe his experience during the extreme cold this winter when he opened an emergency shelter for people who had nowhere to go. Leslie Lawrence, Associate Director at Emmaus House, will provide insight into day-to-day life in a shelter, what’s involved in running one, and the ways in which towns like ours can best serve the people who don’t have a place to stay.
 
This is the fifth in a series of community meetings examining homelessness in Greater Newburyport presented by HOPE in Action in conjunction with Pennies for Poverty. Other meetings have explored the YWCA’s annual homeless count, a program in Peabody for housing families, the realities of a day shelter in Gloucester, and the challenges educators face in supporting homeless students. The mission of HOPE in Action is to educate our communities about housing-insecurity in our area and to initiate a call for action. All are welcome. There is no admission charge. Bring your questions.
 
Wednesday, May 23, at 7 pm
Central Congregational Church
14 Titcomb Street
Newburyport