Can We Open For At Least Five Days?

SHELTER CLOSINGS

The Partnership for the Homeless is being forced in the face of budget cuts and cost reduction to reassess the present structure of our Emergency Shelter Network. The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) has informed us that they will no longer be able to service shelters that are only open from one to four days a week.
In analyzing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our operations DHS has determined that we can no longer afford to service shelters with faith beds that are not open for at least five days.
We fully appreciate and take pride in the outstanding work of our volunteers who have worked through their churches and temples to provide the comfort of a bed, hot meal and endearing fellowship to many of our homeless guests. Many of the ESN volunteers have been involved with the Partnership for over two decades and are understandably concerned about the fate of our guests once a shelter is closed. They don’t want to see people put into the streets and neither do we.
So what can we do? We can first ask ourselves the question: “Can we open for at least five days?” ESN staff has released a survey that ask this very question, and what is precluding your institution from providing shelter for five days or more. Please complete the survey and return it to us ASAP.
Moreover we will be happy to work with you in every possible way to help you help the homeless by opening your shelter for at least five days.