Regarding the former, the number of homeless using the shelter has exceeded estimates, nearly doubling the highest number housed in the Ukiah Grange during the period in January 1999 when it was used as a shelter. Occupancy has approached fifty persons on several occasions, which is close to the shelters legal capacity.
Parishioners of St. Mary's responded to the shelter's opening with an outpouring of support and involvement that proved a very welcome surprise to Ford Street staff. More than thirty-five parishioners have come forward to serve as volunteers at the shelter, divided between morning and evening shifts. This does not include an additional number who have contributed financially to the shelter or donated food, clothing and other items.
In addition to being homeless, the population served by the shelter includes men, women, and children with a wide range of handicaps and obstacles in their lives. There are those suffering from alcoholism, long term drug abuse and a variety of physical and emotional impairments. Effectively integrating such a diverse group into a cohesive program is, to say the least, challenging for the limited number of staff Ford Street is able to allocate to the shelter. Volunteers have proven indispensable.
At the time the shelter opened, a hospitality committee was formed at St. Mary's. Volunteers were recruited to serve morning and evening shifts, assisting Ford Street personnel in a variety of ways.
In the morning, volunteers arrive at 6:30 a.m. and serve coffee, milk and fruit juice to residents. Cereal is served and other snacks are usually available. Volunteers remain until 8:00 a.m. when the shelter closes for the day.
During the evening shift, volunteers arrive at 6:00 p.m., when the shelter opens, and remain until 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. (the shelter accepts residents until 9:00 p.m.). Sack lunches, prepared at Ford Street, are distributed and tea and other beverages are available. Fruit and snacks are also provided.
Volunteers spend time conversing with shelter residents and those with professional backgrounds advise residents on how to avail themselves of various community resources. Some of the homeless welcome the opportunity to establish social contacts with volunteers and address them familiarly, on a first-name basis.
In recent weeks, St. Mary's volunteers have been joined by members of other Ukiah churches, thereby adding an ecumenical flavor to the shelter program.
In a diocese suffering through a prolonged period of scandal and fiscal mismanagement, opening the homeless shelter was for many St. Mary's parishioners a welcome opportunity to affirm their faith through service to the poor which, for Father Hans, is what christianity is about.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2000
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