Winter shelter, now in Uptown Pittsburgh, to open to homeless Thursday night
An Allegheny County-funded winter shelter will open to the homeless Thursday in Uptown Pittsburgh and remain open every night through March 15, officials said.
The shelter, operated by Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net, will house men and women from 7 p.m. through 7 a.m. daily — including weekends and holidays — at a new location, Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship and Veteran’s Home at 13 Pride Street.
More nights in March may be added amid extreme weather conditions, such as temperatures below 25 degrees.
Last winter , Pittsburgh Mercy’s shelter operated out of Smithfield United Church of Christ in Downtown Pittsburgh for 120 nights. From Nov. 15, 2017, to March 31, it housed 904 individuals, including 723 men and 181 women, for an average of 119 people per night.
Coordinators say they aim not only to prevent unsheltered people from getting ill and possibly dying on harsh winter nights, but also to understand the complex problems and loss of support systems that have driven people to seek emergency shelter.
The seasonal shelter provides a warm, dry place to sleep, including cots when available, a nightly hot meal, access to showers and laundry facilities and basic health care. Allegheny Link connects individuals to resources and forms of assistance, such as help finding jobs and housing or paying overdue utility bills.
“If we learn that someone is coming to us because they do not have power, heat or water, then we’d rather divert someone from entering homelessness,” said Brian Matous, homeless services supervisor at Pittsburgh Mercy. “We’re a judgment-free service that focuses mainly on helping individuals grow out of their struggles with homelessness.”
The temporary shelter is funded by $174,000 in Allegheny County human services and economic development solutions grants. It also relies on volunteers and accepts donations from the community to provide the needy with nutritious food, winter clothing and toiletries.
HOW TO HELP
- Serve a meal. The Northside Homeless Alliance, a collaboration of groups focused on reducing homelessness in Pittsburgh’s North Side, will coordinate the shelter’s meals. Volunteers are needed to help serve them to up to 150 people per night. To volunteer, reach L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry executive director Charles Chapman at 412-302-1678 or chapman@livingministry.org.
- Donate winter necessities. The shelter is in need of new hats, scarves, gloves, socks, boots, winter coats, toiletries and personal hygiene items. To schedule an appointment to contribute goods, call 412-232-5739, ext. 2, or email operationsafetynet@pittsburghmercy.org with “Winter Shelter In-Kind Donation” in the subject line.
- Donate money. Organizations, corporations and individuals can contribute via www.pittsburghmercy.org or mail checks payable to “Pittsburgh Mercy” with “Winter Shelter” in the memo line to the Pittsburgh Mercy Development Office, 9983 Perry Highway, Suite 202, Wexford, PA 15090. Prospective donors also can reach Connie Murray, director of development, at 724-934-3537 or cmurray@pittsburghmercy.org.
- Volunteer your time or offer services. Reach coordinator Genevieve Gigandet at ggigandet@pittsburghmercy.org at 412-232-5739.
Natasha Lindstrom is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Natasha at 412-380-8514, nlindstrom@tribweb.com or via Twitter @NewsNatasha.
