GREENSBORO, N.C. — For the first time in years, homeless individuals in Greensboro will not be able to rely on the Interactive Resource Center (IRC) to escape the coldest winter nights.
The IRC recently ended its 24/7 operations and will no longer function as a warming shelter this winter. This change has created a significant need for alternative resources.
Behind the doors at the Grace Community Church, are beds, a recreation center, showers, and bathrooms. All part of a collaborative effort led by the Greensboro Urban Ministry to provide homeless individuals with a warm place to stay during the winter months.
“These churches stepped up in the eleventh hour,” said Brian Hahne, CEO of Greensboro Urban Ministry. “They didn't budget for this; this is not something they were planning to do.”
The Greensboro Urban Ministry and four churches will offer more than 150 beds for homeless people during the winter. One of these churches is Grace Community Church, which has twelve beds specifically reserved for men. Guests will also receive a hot meal each evening upon arrival.
"It's a part of our core values as a church,” said Marshall Benbow, Teaching Pastor at Grace Community Church. “We want to love our city well. We were part of the first group years ago, so it was almost a no-brainer to re-engage and continue supporting the people we've come to know as our neighbors."
The group emphasizes the importance of providing a warm meal, a bed to sleep in, and a nearby space where individuals can relax, watch TV, and socialize. Greensboro Urban Ministry already serves meals and operates as a full-time shelter.
"We're exploring with the city how we can offer additional workforce development services and opportunities during the day,” Hahne said. “We're focused on covering the night shift safely, but if there are opportunities for workforce development, job training, or even job opportunities during the busy holiday season, we’ll pursue them."
The city’s initiatives to address homelessness extend beyond this new effort, including expanding the Doorway Project at Pomona Park, which will accommodate 83 people. According to the most recent Point-in-Time Count, which tracks homelessness in Guilford County, 641 people are experiencing homelessness. Despite the ongoing efforts, there still aren’t enough beds for everyone, but the city is committed to expanding these types of programs.
"We want to make sure we're helping people navigate to a better place in life,” said Trey Davis, Greensboro City Manager. “If we can connect them to resources that facilitate transitions into temporary or permanent housing, that’s our goal. We’ll continue collaborating with partners who offer these essential resources."
Greensboro Urban Ministry plans to start housing people by December 8th. The program will run through the winter months and conclude in March.
Stay connected to local, national, and breaking news: Download the WFMY News 2 app.
►Text the word APP to 336-379-5775
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter, Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.