We all know what a challenging year 2020 has been on multiple fronts, but imagine the difficulty of keeping up with unprecedented demand for help at Emergency Shelter Services of Berrien County. With more people than ever dispersed and out of work in Michigan’s Great Southwest, this past year has been a challenging one for those affected by homelessness and the organizations that help them, like the team at ESS.
Last year, in 2019, Emergency Shelter Services supported roughly 1,500 residents in Berrien County and they are anticipating an increase with the growing number of people facing unemployment.
As the team at Emergency Shelter Services gets ready for the upcoming holiday season, they are looking to the community for support, perhaps moreso then ever before. Earlier this week they successfully raised nearly $3,000 on Giving Tuesday, but the demand will be considerably higher than that.
Reshella Hawkins, Interim Executive Director, tells us, “We have already begun to see a huge increase in our call center activity every week. Many clients that have not used our services in the past are now seeking assistance.” She adds, “The widespread effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly impacted many residents of Berrien County. The silver lining is that there are programs available for individuals to regain stability.”
To prepare for the coming months of cold weather, Emergency Shelter Services is looking to raise funds to support those transitioning through homelessness and residents of the family emergency shelter. On average, it takes $29 to shelter and feed one individual per day, with the typical stay equating to 21 days. With the support of the general public, they can help ensure that the three branches of ESS – The Connection, The ESS Resale Store (Formerly 6 Degrees), and The Family Emergency Shelter, can continue to provide such needed services for the county.
The public is invited to join the ESS efforts in this season of hope, by helping provide support for the local community. You can visit their website at http://essberrien.org/donate to learn more about opportunities to give back by donating or purchasing much-needed items from Emergency Shelter Services’ Amazon Wishlist. Reshelle says, “Together we can make sure that more people in Berrien County have a warm and safe Home for the Holidays!”
Emergency Shelter Services is a non-profit human services agency that offers temporary emergency housing to homeless women and families. Resources available to Berrien County include the Emergency Shelter, the Connection, and the 6 Degree Resale Store.
