Homeless Shelter moves to larger quarters

BONNE TERRE — On the week of the big move, Shared Blessings was housing five homeless people.

On Wednesday, that number was up to 14 people.

“All adults,” co-founder, Charlene Huskey said. “No children. A couple families with children have called and then didn’t show up.”

She describes the people as good people, many have been laid off. She said they are very thankful to have a place to go.

On Dec. 12, the organization moved from a small house in East Bonne Terre to an old nursing home at 518 Grove Street in Bonne Terre. Sharo Shirshekan gave the old building to Shared Blessings after his construction crew completed a lot of remodeling.

The new building has 10 bedrooms which could house about 30 people. The only problem is the shelter still needs quite a few beds, Huskey said.

She said after the move, Proffer Produce donated some used mattresses but the shelter still needs more. She said they could also use towels and bathroom rugs or “anything anyone would want to donate.”

For information on how to help, call Charlene at 573-358-2686.

The shelter does not get any funding from the government. It is funded entirely by donations. Currently, they have a full-time caretaker, but they are in need of volunteers to give the caretaker a day off.

The shelter’s rules say a person can stay up to 30 days in the shelter if that person is really trying to get a job. There is also a curfew and they try to make sure no one is abusing drugs or alcohol because it is a family shelter.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.