GREENSBORO, N.C. — Whether it’s answering the phones or helping guests with their laundry, Deb Harris Richardson takes pride in her work. As the president and CEO of the Shirley T. Frye YWCA Greensboro, she said she’s committed to helping the organization thrive.
“We have been serving men, women, and children throughout our history and what we mean to this community is hope, because what we provide is a hand up to those who are participating in numerous programs that we provide,” Harris Richardson said.
For more than 120 years, the YWCA has served the Guilford County community by promoting women’s rights, voting rights, and most recently homelessness. Its Emergency Family Shelter can shelter up to 35 individuals at any given time. Occupants can stay anywhere from 30 to 90 days.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 600 people in Greensboro are homeless on any given night.
“Once they come, we’re going to assign them to a family advocate that’s going to work with them to identify what their needs are,” Harris Richardson said. “Our primary interest is getting them on to permanent housing. We want to help them get employed, we want to help them identify childcare.”
Harris Richardson said the shelter sees people from all walks of life.
“We have had chefs here from prestigious restaurants that have had some challenges,” Harris Richardson said. “We’ve had folks who have had a fire and have ended up here. As simple as my breaks failed, I didn’t have the opportunity to get my breaks fixed. There’s no bus transportation where I live. I lost my job. Then I can’t pay my rent, I become homeless.”
Harris Richardson said grants and monetary donations from the public help to keep the Emergency Family Shelter running.
“Right now, there are three family shelters in Guilford County,” Harris Richardson said. “We’re talking less than 70 beds a night available. Inadequate. It’s inadequate. We currently have, I believe, 82 families on our waiting list. To talk about 70 beds across the city is not nearly enough with the many unsheltered folks across the city that are sleeping in their cars, they’re sleeping in tents.”
Whether it’s financial assistance, talent, or just a few hours of volunteer time, Harris-Richardson says any amount of help can go a long way.
The YWCA is always looking for volunteers and donations for all its programs. Saturday, July 15 the organization will host its First Annual Jazz Soiree Fundraiser. There will be performances and an art gallery. It’s all happening at the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Foundation Center from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. WFMY News 2 Anchor Lauren Coleman will serve as this year’s emcee.