Press release from ABCCM:
With nighttime temperatures dropping into the upper 20s this weekend, ABCCM is opening a Code Purple shelter for Asheville’s homeless.
To meet this emergency, ABCCM is opening the Costello House Open Door Shelter this weekend at 141 Hillside in Asheville. “ABCCM is collaborating with a group of churches to consider making this facility a 24/7 winter shelter from January 2nd to March 31st,” said ABCCM Executive Director Rev. Scott Rogers. “ABCCM is honored to work with the churches and volunteers who want to keep homeless men from freezing to death in life-threatening weather. We are grateful to have financial support from the city/county on Code Purple nights to help cover the costs.”
Thanks to collaborating churches and community leaders, this emergency shelter will be able to provide life-saving services. “ABCCM is excited to have a new group of churches like Trinity UMC and Grace Covenant Pres. coming together with community volunteers,” Rev. Rogers said. “ABCCM has proposed that this is possible with three shifts a day: mornings from 7 am to noon; afternoons from noon to 5 pm; and evenings from 5 pm to 10 pm. Each shift would have a volunteer receptionist, three on a cook team, two activity volunteers an ideal team of six persons volunteering for each shift, along with professional staff.”
The mission of Code Purple is a core part of ABCCM’s work. “Code Purple is a life-saving arm of the churches supporting ABCCM,” said Rev. Rogers. “Since a homeless veteran froze to death on the streets in 1984, ABCCM has been committed to Code Purple to help prevent something like this from happening again.”
ABCCM calls the facility the Costello House, in honor of the Costello Family Foundation.
The shelter operation is called the Open Door Shelter which is modeled after a program started in the late 1980s by First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta on Peachtree St. that took in anyone. The criteria is that persons share their names, (no ID required); be in control, even if under the influence of alcohol or drugs; not violent or threatening violence. Residents can come and go via the bus that the city has arranged to stop near the main entrance or via shuttle to another program downtown.
ABCCM is collaborating with other groups. The Salvation Army will be housing up to eight homeless women and possibly a family. The Rescue Mission will take vaccinated men and women, and space will be available at AHOPE day shelter. Grace Covenant Presbyterian is considering an overflow night shelter for families. Other churches are considering being “warming centers” during the day. “The key is utilizing our combined resources to keep people safe and warm,” says Rev. Scott Rogers.
Volunteers are needed for the Code Purple shelter. ABCCM will be offering orientation and training for all volunteers, starting the week of January 10. Time and place will be announced at a later date. Staff will be on hand 24/7 to provide support and guidance for all volunteers at all times. Funds are also needed for trained, professional staff to support the volunteer efforts.
For more information about how to volunteer, please email nick.honerkamp@abccm.org or volunteer@abccm.org. Or call 828-259-5300. Please send donations to ABCCM, 20 20th Street, Asheville, NC 28806. To contribute, go to https://abccm.squarespace.com/givenow1
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