Religious Coalition Providing Much More Than Just a Warm Bed
By: Sujata Khandelwal
Updated: November 20, 2012
FREDERICK, MD - A good night's sleep is a luxury for some.
"There's never been a time where there has been more need than what we have today," says Reverend Brian Scott, executive director of the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs.
Scott says on any given day there are nearly 300 homeless people in the county.
"Whenever you have an increase in unemployment or healthcare issues, often those are two leading factors that lead people to homelessness," says Scott.
The shelter opens its doors from 6:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. It has 60 beds for men and 20 for women.
The coalition also puts substantial resources into its homeless prevention efforts. Volunteers say seeing someone get back on their feet is wonderful.
"It's great to be able to look back say I've made a difference in someone's life today or several someone's lives today," says Valerie Moore, the Americorps volunteer coordinator for the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs.
Scott says it's more reason to continue their work.
"When we sit down to the Thanksgiving table, we're very appreciative of what we've been bestowed," says Scott. "We ask people to give to those who have more challenges and that could be anyone of us."
A benefit concert is being held at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Sunday. All the funds will go to the coalition's homeless prevention efforts and shelter.
For a full list of the towns participating, and to get their contact information, click "List of Towns Participating in the Religious Coalition" on the home page.
"There's never been a time where there has been more need than what we have today," says Reverend Brian Scott, executive director of the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs.
Scott says on any given day there are nearly 300 homeless people in the county.
"Whenever you have an increase in unemployment or healthcare issues, often those are two leading factors that lead people to homelessness," says Scott.
The shelter opens its doors from 6:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. It has 60 beds for men and 20 for women.
The coalition also puts substantial resources into its homeless prevention efforts. Volunteers say seeing someone get back on their feet is wonderful.
"It's great to be able to look back say I've made a difference in someone's life today or several someone's lives today," says Valerie Moore, the Americorps volunteer coordinator for the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs.
Scott says it's more reason to continue their work.
"When we sit down to the Thanksgiving table, we're very appreciative of what we've been bestowed," says Scott. "We ask people to give to those who have more challenges and that could be anyone of us."
A benefit concert is being held at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Sunday. All the funds will go to the coalition's homeless prevention efforts and shelter.
For a full list of the towns participating, and to get their contact information, click "List of Towns Participating in the Religious Coalition" on the home page.
