This week’s polar vortex forced even the hardiest men and women in the Roanoke Valley to seek shelter. Three hundred thirty six guests, 39 of which were children, stayed at the Roanoke Rescue Mission Monday night.
The Mission can accommodate up to 400 guests but Mission spokesman Anders Sylvester-Johnson said they’ve been averaging just below 300 guests a night for the past six months.
“Over the last year we’ve really worked to reduce the number of guests we have through case management and through obtaining permanent, safe housing.”
He says various agencies work together, especially during the winter, to help the homeless.
“We’ve been coordinating with both EMS and police, and the police know that if they find someone who needs shelter and they’re in an emergent need, to bring them to us. Police also know that if they bring anyone to us that has for some reason lost services, we’ll also give them services in this kind of emergent weather. Anytime it’s below 40 degrees or over 100 degrees we see it as a life threat and we offer services to individuals who may have lost services in the past during that time in which the temperatures are high or low.”
He said temperatures were much lower Monday night than they were over the weekend, prompting some to come to the shelter. “I think it was noticeable in the Valley just walking outside early in the evening that five minutes and your fingers and toes became numb, your face was chilled, and you may have gotten wind burned. The wind speeds were much higher last night (Monday) as well.”
Matthew Smithson from California said he came to Roanoke by Greyhound bus. He’s been at the mission since January 1st but hoped to get a ride to Lexington to stay with a friend.
“I never thought that I would be in the position that I would have to use a place like this. But I am very grateful that it is here for those that do need it, especially with how cold it is out there. It’s terrible weather but I’m glad that there is a place for individuals that need the help. They can go get warm, get something to eat, a place to sleep. It’s comforting to know that there are people out there willing to help.”
Gunther Stuart from Danville has been a guest since last April. “I’d be lost” without the Rescue Mission on one of the coldest nights this region has seen in decades.
On Tuesday, the Mission offered day shelter services. Sylvester-Johnson said usually the guests are transported to RAM House but knew they would be at capacity, so the Mission offered services for those who didn’t want to or were unable to make the one mile trip.
– Beverly Amsler