Combat the Rise in Homelessness

Increase in Homeless Population

A group of volunteers is trying to help get the local homeless population into permanent homes.

The number of homeless people is rising, putting a strain on shelters and churches.

It’s really unfortunate but the homeless population has definitely been on the rise the past few years. But a group is stepping forward to fight the rise.

Training to help volunteer at shelters is offered at First United Methodist Church in Fargo.

Sessions focus on how to connect with those staying at the shelters, their safety and to help find these people permanent homes.

One woman at the training session tonight wants to help because she couldn’t imagine not having a home.

Kathleen Creighton who is deciding to volunteer said, “It just makes you so grateful for what you have and so much more than you realized you had when you compare it to people who just don’t have anything .”

One of the big factors leading to homelessness is the increase in opportunity here in North Dakota because of the oil boom, but if it doesn’t work out those people have nowhere to go.

And churches are seeing double the number of women coming to the shelters.

F-M Coalition For Homeless Persons Laurie Baker said, “Increase in domestic Violence, so women or families come to the oil patches as a unit, stuff happens and there’s no housing the way that the way they can even to find some help is to for the family to break apart.”

Anyone can volunteer to help at the sheltering churches, but you are required to take the training course.

The next is February 7th at First United Methodist Church.