New homeless shelter operates at temporary location in Gordonville

Although Shelter of Hope's building at 320 S. Sprigg is still undergoing renovations, the organization provided lodging to local homeless men for the first time Friday night at a temporary location.

After receiving meals at the Salvation Army, local homeless were transported by van to Amazing Grace Worship Center in Gordonville where they stayed overnight, said Terry Wildman, president of Shelter of Hope. The next morning, they were taken back to the Salvation Army where they had breakfast and access to shower facilities. Volunteers will follow the same routine each night until the shelter's Sprigg Street building is ready for use. The Southeast Missorui Chapter of the American Red Cross donated cots, and Southside Baptist Church provided a van for transportation.

Before homeless men can take advantage of this new ministry, they must first have local police verify that they do not have any outstanding warrants or have previously been convicted of a sex offense. Once they provide this paperwork from police, they are allowed to board the van, Wildman said.

On Friday, seven men went to the police station to receive that paperwork; however only a handful of people showed up that evening at the Salvation Army.

Wildman said he believed that others did not come because they heard the Southeast Missourian was doing a story and feared their photos would be taken. He expected a larger group Saturday night and anticipates more people will start coming forward for assistance as word spreads about their new program.

The Shelter of Hope only houses men through this program but does have volunteers who will open their homes to women and children in need of a place to stay.

During the past three months Tina Rodgers, caseworker with the Salvation Army, said she's seen a significant increase in the number of homeless coming in for assistance.

"We've seen four to 10 households a day that have no place to go," Rodgers said. "This is going to be a great help."

Since January, Shelter of Hope has helped six homeless people get off the streets, Wildman said.

"We've helped them find jobs, get apartments so they have their own place, and stand on their own two feet," Wildman said. "That's really what this ministry is all about."

Plans to open Shelter of Hope's permanent Sprigg Street location are moving forward.

"The demolition work is done. We're waiting on our architect to finish the final drawings to we can get approval to start putting it back together," Wildman said.

Use of the building, which was a pool hall, was donated by Alliance Bank free of charge for one year.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent addresses:

320 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.