Honesdale shelter closed this winter

FRITZ MAYER
Posted 12/7/16

HONESDALE, PA — The warming shelter that has been located at the Grace Episcopal Church for the past five years, will not be opening this year according to Sue Erb, the shelter volunteer …

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Honesdale shelter closed this winter

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HONESDALE, PA — The warming shelter that has been located at the Grace Episcopal Church for the past five years, will not be opening this year according to Sue Erb, the shelter volunteer coordinator.

Erb said, “Concerns over safety and liability, along with not getting enough qualified volunteers, losing longtime volunteers... and limited church staffing are resulting in the closing of the shelter.”

“The first issue was uncertainty over the availability of local police if there would be serious problems with any guests,” Erb said. She had warned at Honesdale Borough Council meetings this year that if the police department were not staffed up, the Warmth in the Night Shelter might not open. But there were also other concerns.

 “The matter of getting enough qualified volunteers also weighed heavily in our decision,” Erb said. “We lost several past volunteers due to moving from the area, death, health issues, and work and family commitments. Others said they would only return as volunteers if they are assured that police help would be nearby.”

“We had several inquiries from prospective new volunteers when we were recruiting earlier in the fall, but once they saw the requirements for volunteering, many of them chose not to volunteer or didn’t get back to us,” she said. “It’s one of those things that everybody seems to think operating a shelter is a great idea until they are asked to help or they see the requirements. Then they have a list of reasons why they can’t help. Or, they can only help for a couple nights during the whole season, which isn’t worth doing the training and background checks required. Additionally, not everyone is cut out for this type of volunteer work for a variety of reasons. It’s not always easy.”

She said that at this point in the season it is too late to try to get new volunteers because of the required training and background checks.

The church still plans to distribute coats, hats, gloves, and socks to homeless adults, along with other items, such as blankets, toiletries and some food. The church is not accepting other clothing and items not on the list.

Erb said church will still accept donations for the shelter, and they may be used for a limited number of one-night emergency motel vouchers for those in the most serious need on the coldest winter nights, or other imminent needs by the homeless. Checks can be sent to Grace Episcopal Church, 827 Church St., Honesdale, with the memo “For Warmth in the Night.” For information, leave a message at the church at 570/253-2760. The church will continue to coordinate with other local social service agencies in referring the homeless to services they may need. Wayne County Social Service agencies compiled a list of shelters in nearby counties and are making arrangements for transportation for the homeless during business hours Monday through Friday.

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