“They bring the warmth and a true welcome to everybody,” Duvall said.
After frigid temperatures came with several feet of snow blanketing Springfield and Clark County last week, people turned to local libraries open during the day, as well as the new volunteer-run warming shelter near downtown Springfield, a response to the continuing need.
The closure of Springfield’s Executive Inn homeless shelter and the reduction of hours at Sheltered Inc.’s men’s shelter left fewer options in the city.
The new warming center at the Victory Faith Center opened last month at 424 S. Fountain Ave. in response to a significant need. The shelter offers a warm place to sleep and hot meals 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. But organizers said recently they are in significant need of volunteers.
Jodie Brann, a volunteer, said the shelter particularly needs volunteers to staff it overnight, an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. The shelter serves breakfast at 8 a.m. and dinner at 8 p.m., and could use volunteers during those times too.
Brann encouraged more understanding for people experiencing homelessness, saying many people are one disaster away from being in the situation. She said it’s good to know resources like this are out there in case something happens.
‘Be nice’
The shelter, started by community member Kenneth “Barron” Seelig, has been inundated with people seeking warmth since Sunday. Seelig funds the shelter from his own pocket, as well as community donations.
Its biggest need right now is more monetary donations, which will help shelter volunteers quickly respond to upcoming needs. More information can be found on the shelter’s Facebook page.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Other organizations have been referring people to the warming center, which is causing a lot of strain, Seelig said. About four months ago, Seelig was publicly calling on the city and other organizations to do something about the growing number of people experiencing homelessness.
Now, Seelig has become that resource, without the infrastructure behind him to maintain anything long-term. He said he will continue helping for as much and as long as he can, even when some dislike his unconventional methods.
“Careful not to stretch the fabric of grace to the point of tearing,” Seelig said. “We’re going to go almost to the end, but when it tears, I’m going to be nice. Be nice. Be nice. I’m going to be nice to the city council, I’m going to be nice to the ombudsman, I’m going to be nice to The Gideons. I’m going to be nice, I’m going to be nice, and when I see an overwhelmingly wrong, I’m just going to go do something overwhelmingly right.”
Seelig has stayed at the shelter since it opened in early December.
Since the shelter opened, Seelig and volunteers have gotten 12 people to go to rehabilitation for substance abuse, he said. Only one person has dropped out.
Seelig is also putting together food boxes to give out.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Jazmine Truesdale, who has stayed at the shelter for more than a month, said shelter residents and volunteers enjoyed a New Year’s Eve party, which was nice to have some normalcy. She emphasized the shelter is safe and welcoming, and praised the volunteers for their help.
“If it wasn’t for these people here (the volunteers), you know how many people would be dead because they have nowhere to get out of (the cold)?” Truesdale said.
Duvall said Seelig is “truly amazing,” helping everybody, including dogs — who are not typically accepted in homeless or temporary warming shelters.
Sheltered Inc.
Sheltered Inc. Board of Directors Chair Ross McGregor said the women and family shelter is “pretty much at capacity,” while the men’s shelter has some room.
McGregor said that when the men’s shelter opens its doors each day at 7 p.m., “guys want to be inside” to get out of the cold. He said the organization has also installed a Porta Potty behind the shelter so the men have a place to use the restroom with dignity during the day.
“We’re just trying to ... cover some basic human needs here the best we can,” McGregor said.
Sheltered Inc. recently held a successful coat drive, but is always accepting donations of socks, hats and gloves, McGregor said.
Not everyone experiencing homelessness will want to stay in a shelter, whether due to the rules or otherwise, McGregor said. For those staying outside or in tents, he said a representative from the Nehemiah Foundation is making sure they have access to what they need.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Springfield’s emergency warming shelter opens at the Salvation Army (15 S. Plum St.) when temperatures hit single digits, but there are other options during the day and overnight when temperatures drop but not to that degree.
Warming centers
According to the Clark County Emergency Management Agency, warming centers open during the day at all temperatures include:
• Springfield Warming Shelter, 424 S. Fountain Avenue (Victory Faith Center): 24/7; follow the shelter on Facebook for updated information.
• New Carlisle Library, 111 E. Lake Ave.: Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• New Carlisle Church of the Brethren, 219 N. Main St.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; call 937-845-1428 to make sure they’re open.
• Salvation Army, 15 S. Plum St.: varying hours; call 937-322-3434 to ensure they’re open.
• Library (main), 201 S. Fountain Ave.: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
• Park Branch library, 1119 Bechtle Ave.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Southgate Branch library: 1863 S. Limestone St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Houston Branch library, 5 W. Jamestown St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Enon Branch library, 209 E. Main St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other shelters
Sheltered Inc. also operates two shelters, one for women and families at 501 W. High St. and one for men at 440 W. High St. The men’s shelter operates 12 hours daily and the women’s and families’ shelter 24 hours.
Those wanting to stay at a Sheltered Inc. facility can contact its intake office at 937-521-1071.
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