By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — To be homeless is an obstacle in itself, but when the temperatures dip down to zero degrees or less, it can be even more dire. For that reason, the Trinity Church in Claremont is serving as a “warm welcome shelter” this winter and has already served 24 different individuals since it opened on Jan. 1.
Zadiah Eisenberg, who is Trinity Church’s pastoral community connections coordinator acting as the shelter manager, explained that Trinity Church has worked alongside community partners to open the warm welcome shelter. Southwestern Community Services is serving as the official sponsor, and are also providing training and support for hiring staff, and provide liability coverage.
“What is nice is that we have been working with Southwestern Community Services, so when people are with us they can be moved onto a more stable shelter,” said Eisenberg. “Whether a homeless shelter that is open all day, or recovery, depending on where the person is at.”
Eisenberg described it as being a “low barrier shelter,” saying the only barrier to entering is someone’s behavior and that substance use is prohibited.
“They cannot use on the premises,” she said. “They cannot have weapons and obviously have to behave respectfully and follow the rules. That is the entirety of the limitations.”
While the shelter has not been filling up at night, with numbers ranging from a low of six to a high of 13 people, Eisenberg said this does not mean the need is not there.
“Since we have opened, we have steadily been going up since the word has gotten out more,” she said. “The number of guests, added up in total has been 113 at this point. They have stayed between one and 11 nights.”
Eisenberg said nobody wants to sleep in a church with strangers, monitored by strangers, but it is available for those who do not have another option. While there are people struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues, there are people going there who are arriving at 9 p.m. and leaving at 4 a.m. to go to work. Eisenberg was happy to report that unlike last year there have been no children at the shelter, but she said that doesn’t mean there won’t be as the season goes on.
“I hope we don’t see any, but if we do, we will be here,” she said.
The shelter is currently located in Trinity Church, but the plan is for it to move to the First Congregational church for the second half of the winter, starting in mid February and running until March 31. Eisenberg said they got the proper fire permits to allow for it, and the shift is just to share the space and the responsibilities. Eisenberg said fortunately there have been very generous donations, and neither of the churches will absorb any costs.
Eisenberg said since they will be moving, they do not need any more supplies to ensure there isn’t a stockpile. She added that Home Depot has also been generous enough to donate supplies to the shelter, the Soup Kitchen has provided food, and the National Honor Society just stocked them up with mittens and coats.
“In terms of actual things, we are all set,” she said.
However, monetary donations or gift cards to places for supplies down the road are preferred.
Those looking to donate to the shelter can do so by sending a check to Southwestern Community Services, Inc. at 63 Community Way in Keene. The subject line must state “Warm Welcome Shelter” to make sure the donation goes to the right spot. Cash and checks can also be dropped off at Trinity Church’s office.
The shelter is located at Trinity Church, at 120 Broad Street in Claremont, and is open from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day until March 31.