Homeless case manager estimates 30-35 remained outdoors during the cold weather
Frigid nights with temperatures that fell well below freezing last week caused the Henderson County Office of Emergency Management to raise the white flag alert for the first time this winter season.
The OEM raises a white flag in times when the temperature wind chill falls below freezing. In these times, OEM works in conjunction with the Homeless Coalition of Henderson County to help homeless people find a warm place to stay during the frigid night.
The contact person to help the homeless is Melissa Collier, the case manager community outreach specialist for the organization. During the span that the white flag alert was in place—from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6—Collier said four men were given shelter at the Harbor House and two women were given shelter at the Father Bradley Shelter for Women and Children.
The people who sought shelter during that span were in addition to those people already staying at the shelters. It’s an effort in which local shelters find extra space for those who need a warm spot for the night.
Collier said that she expects the number of people who need to seek shelter from cold temperatures will increase as more learn about the option. She believes that many homeless were able to stay with acquaintances during last week’s cold snap.
“I feel a lot are able to stay with friends and family,” she said, noting though “there are still some on the streets.”
She said her guess is that about 30-35 people stayed on the streets during the recent white flag alert.
After the Christmas season, the Salvation Army Center of Hope will serve as the main white flag alert shelter, Collier said. It can’t be used currently because the organization is using its gym for its Angel Tree program.
Collier said she is the main point of contact for those who need help. She can be reached at 270-823-5469 or melissa@pitinoshelter.org. A person can also visit the Pitino Shelter Henderson office at 602 8th St.
People wishing to donate can buy digital watches, umbrellas, chap stick, hand lotion, laundry detergent and hygiene products for men, women and children.
Money can be donated by scanning the Venmo QR code in the provided image. Needed items can be bought through Pitino Shelter Henderson’s Amazon page, which can also be accessed via the provided Amazon QR code.