More families seeking help at homeless shelters

By Darla Hernandez (darlah@wsbt.com)

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The Center for the Homeless in South Bend says they are seeing more families with children seeking a place to stay. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 13, 2008 at 5:39 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2008 at 6:50 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Parents around the area are struggling because they don't have a job, and now, more are losing their homes. That has many families turning to homeless shelters.

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The Center for the Homeless in South Bend says in the last few weeks they have seen a huge spike in calls from people looking for a place to stay. Many of them are families in need — just Wednesday night 47 children slept at the Center.

Rebecca Roberts says the Center for the Homeless took her in when no one else would.

"I knew at the time I had just lost my job as well, so I definitely needed a place to stay for me and my kids,” she told WSBT News.

Roberts is not alone.

The number of single women with children has increased by 50 percent at the Center for the Homeless in South Bend.

“One day alone we had probably 30 phone calls just from single women looking for a place to stay,” said Lisa Knox-Panzica of the Center for the Homeless. “It’s so dramatic and so sad.”

With the economy in crisis, all their beds full, and dozens of families on a wait list, the Center fears more children will be left out in the cold.

"We have to keep them alive until they can get back on their feet,” Knox-Panzica said.

U93 and the Center for the Homeless have teamed up in Mishawaka at the Wal-Mart. They are hoping to fill up a truck with critical items that they desperately need — like diapers, toiletries and clothing.

Roberts refuses to give up.

“I am out currently looking for a job right now,” she said.

Roberts knows hunting down a job isn't going to be easy, but says it's a must for her family.

"It's been obviously kind of hard, because of it actually being a homeless shelter,” she said. “But I know in the long run I'm definitely going to come out a better person and be able to be on my feet."

Because of the economy the YWCA of St. Joseph County says more women can't afford rent to escape their abuser. The center has been over capacity for the past several weeks. However, they stress no victim of domestic violence will be turned away.

Cass County is calling it a “crisis” at their homeless shelter. All beds are full and they have a long wait list as well.

Both centers have a critical needs list of items you can donate. Click the links in the Related Content box for more information.

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