For the past three years, Lucas County's largest homeless shelter, The Cherry Street Mission has seen increasing numbers. Now, as the temperatures drop, a record number of people flock to the Mission for a warm place to sleep. The shelter is almost at capacity and winter isn't even here.
18-year old Devante Dotson is not your typical high school senior, "Monday through Friday school. I come back and probably eat and lay down and I do my homework. Weekends, I go out and find a job, so I can get out." Out of the Cherry Street Mission, the homeless shelter where he's been living at for months. He's not alone either, Ed Sallee lost his job and hasn't been able to find another, "I never thought I'd be here, but circumstances brought me here." Quincy Jones came after a breakup with his girlfriend, "I came down here, didn't know what to expect. I felt helpless."
Overnight Friday into Saturday, the season's saw it's first frost advisory and the mission saw a record number of people,"4, 5, 6 years ago we would've had a place for you to worship, get away, have a quiet moment there was a chapel in this building. Now that chapel is gone and it's full of beds," says Cherry Street Mission CEO Dan Rogers.
The recreation room was also turned into a room with more beds. Rogers says he's seeing almost 20 percent more people this year compared to last. He says he doesn't see a solution in the near future. For Dotson, however, he hopes a high school diploma will be his solution, "It's better to be here than anywhere else, but once I get out, I'm out."
The Cherry Street Mission is always looking for donations. For more information on how to donate your time, clothing, food or cash, visit www.cherrystreetmission.org.
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