Activity up at shelters, car shops and expected to keep rising as temperature plummets

Shelters prohibit registered sex offenders access even in sub-zero temperatures. Lawmakers nationally fail to resolve this issue.. We urge folks to contact your local lawmakers and shelters, and ask them to resolve this issue before another freezes to death.

This article, unlike many others, is particulary egregious because this shelter has separate areas for men and women, and still will not allow sex offenders even in extreme weather, whats wrong with these folks?

1-8-2010 Missouri:

For many people in Jefferson City, car problems seem to be their biggest cold-weatherrelated inconvenience, as towing companies and body shops report spikes in business. But those who haven't always had roofs over their heads don't take the Salvation Army's warm beds for granted.

As bitter winds and subfreezing temperatures settle over Mid-Missouri this week, Alan, a resident at The Salvation Army's Center of Hope, is grateful to have shelter.

For the man known at the shelter as “Grizzly Adams,” it took some getting used to sleeping on a mattress after seven years laying under a makeshift tent at night.

A warm fire, a couple layers of jeans and a winter coat were all that kept Alan warm on the wintry nights. Sometimes, he was lucky to find a cabin or cave in his trek across the southeastern states the last seven years.

With survival skills he learned serving in the U.S. Army and a love for the outdoors, vagrant living wasn't too challenging for Alan.

For others who have no permanent home, blankets, coats, sweaters and other items can make the difference between frostbite and warmth.

In extreme cold weather, the Center of Hope allows an additional 15 people into its 40-resident facility.

“We've been pretty busy the last few nights with coldweather residents, and I'm sure that will continue with the weather continuing this way,” Shelter Director Vicki Bullock said.

Those who come in for the night sleep in the respective lounge areas on either the men's or women's wing. They also get two meals, as they may come in at 5 p.m. when dinner is served and stay until 7:30 a.m. after breakfast, Bullock said.

“Our breakfast numbers are tremendously up,” Bullock said.

Before anyone can stay at the shelter, either as a resident or an extreme-weather visitor, they must receive a free police clearance and agree to abide by shelter rules.

Some people ask for blankets, but don't want to stay inside, no matter how cold it is, Bullock said. In some cases, those are registered sex offenders who know they cannot stay in the shelter.

“With the weather the way it is for the next week or so, we could use some more blankets,” Bullock said. “The (downtown) church drive is a good thing.”

One man donated two comforters from his home this week after reading Sunday's News Tribune story about downtown churches collecting cold-weather items.

“We're providing winter relief and salvation,” said Maj. Kendall Mathews. “We're saving them from the normal elements and providing relief from the circumstances of life.”

“We've not had to turn away anyone so far,” Bullock said.

Mathews added, “If it got really bad, we'd open the gym or find space for them.”

The Salvation Army is seeking donations of:

- Blankets, coats and other cold-weather items.

- Fruit and other continental breakfast items for the increased number of meals being served at the Center of Hope.

- Personal kits and survival kits for those who sleep outside the shelter, including crackers, Vienna sausages, granola bars, fruit cups and hygiene products.

- Time - volunteers could help start a day-time respite at The Salvation Army.

Both Capital Region Medical Center and St. Mary's Health Center said they haven't seen many, if any, people come to their emergency rooms yet as a result of the cold weather. ..Source.. News Tribune staff