With the economic downturn continuing and winter approaching, efforts are underway to address the growing problem of homelessness in St. Joseph County through a weekend homeless shelter in Three Rivers.

Some residents of the county are going to need help because they may find themselves without a place to call home due to the loss of employment, income, investments and other sources of financial support.  At the same time, the government agencies, support groups or special interest organizations that normally help in such situations find themselves short of funds and supplies.

First United Methodist Church of Three Rivers

In view of the situation, several citizens from a handful of churches in the county have formed a task force and developed a plan for Open Arms, a weekend homeless shelter to be housed at the First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers.

The shelter for men, women and families is aimed at filling a gap in the support services and bringing some relief from an overwhelming demand that is beyond what KeyStone Place, the county’s homeless shelter in Centreville, can handle.

Jon Ritter, a Colon resident, spoke to the Three Rivers Lions Club regarding efforts to develop Open Arms, a weekend homeless shelter at the First United Methodist Church of Three Rivers. Ritter was accompanied by Ed Schrader, a Three Rivers resident who, like Ritter, is a member of a task force trying to address the growing problem of homelessness in St. Joseph County.

According to Jon Ritter, a Colon resident who is one of the organizers of the Open Arms program, the church has a room that can provide sleeping space for 32 people with access to a kitchenette and bathrooms.

Ritter said the church “has been nice enough to open up their facilities, but we can’t do this by ourselves.”  He paraphrased the adage that ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and said, “It takes a village for us to take care of each other in hard times.  We can’t, individually, just take care of other people.  We need to come together as a community and as a group and try to help these people because I know – and I’m sure you feel the same way – that, if you were in the same situation, you’d want someone to reach out and help you when government agencies, special interest groups and other people no longer have the resources to do that.”

Ritter said the task force is seeking help in “three different areas” – volunteers, supplies and money.

Plans call for the Open Arms Shelter to be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – “beginning November 1st and for the next six months” – from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.  Volunteers – a man and a woman – will be needed to staff the shelter during those hours.  Volunteers will be trained and go through a security check.  Other than staffing the shelter, volunteers can also assist with laundry.

Ritter said, “We’re going to try to have enough volunteers so that everyone who volunteers would only have to put in four hours a month.  Four hours a month is all we’re asking for a volunteer.”

Regarding supplies, there’s a need for donations of twin-size white flat sheets and blankets for the four-inch mattresses that will be placed on the floor, plus paper plates, napkins, towels, plastic dinnerware, trash bags and disinfecting spray cleaners that will offset startup costs.

The other need is for money.  Working, initially, to accommodate as many as 32 people in the church building, startup costs are estimated at $3,520 for bedding, kitchen supplies and cleaning aids, plus $370 to $475 for meals for each three-day weekend, not to mention the cost of the increased use of building utilities.

Regarding the Open Arms program, Ritter said, “We’re not trying to give these people a handout.  We’re trying to help them with a hand up.  We’re trying to get them to the point where KeyStone can help them go through the process, find a job, eventually get back on their feet and do something for themselves.

To arrange for donations of items for the shelter, call (269) 278-4722.
Monetary donations to “Open Arms Shelter” will be accepted at the Mendon United Methodist Church, 320 West Main Street, Mendon, MI 49072.

Volunteers to staff the shelter during three four-hour shifts from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday are also needed.

For more information and to volunteer, call Jon Ritter at (269) 432-2701, or contact your church to find out how you can help.