TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Frigid temperatures are expected to filter into our region next week, and a group of local organizations are pulling together to ensure Vigo County’s homeless aren’t left out in the cold.
It’s been two weeks since the Pathways Day Center, in Terre Haute, was forced to temporarily close due to lack of funding. Since that time, officials with Reach Services have been scrambling to provide for the city’s homeless before the cold winter months.
But, this week, officials announced some good news.
“I have received approval from my board to continue the warming center, even if our Pathways Day Center is not open,” says Sarah Chandler, executive director of Reach Services. She’s working to ensure the local homeless population gets the message. “Once people come to pick-up their mail, we’ll say, hey, just so you guys know, we are temporarily closed but we will be doing the warming center to fill that need.”
Reach Services is currently collecting sleeping bags, tents and warm clothes and coats for the upcoming winter season.
Local woman shares story of homelessness
Across town, another organization is preparing for the cold winter months. Wabash Valley Recovery Center often works with organizations that serve the homeless. That organization is also accepting donations.
Shonna Frye is a peer recovery coach there. She knows firsthand what it’s like to be left out in the cold. “When I was in my addiction, there were a few times that I was homeless because I was living out of my car.” She continued, “There were always drugs there so it wasn’t ever safe. Emotionally, it was tough. Physically, because I was all cramped up in my car, freezing. So, it was really tough.”
Now, she’s working to ensure people like her have what they need.
“Use your tools, use your resources. Don’t be afraid to reach out to me, or someone from the Recovery Center. We have a couple of other peer recovery coaches, we have male ones as well. If we can’t help you, we’ll find someone who can.”
You will find links to donate to these organizations below. The donations will go a long way to helping those less fortunate in our area as we inch closer to the ‘Season of Giving.’
Reach Services
Reach Services runs the Pathways Day Center (which announced a temporary closure earlier this month). The group hopes to get donations of items like tents, sleeping bags, tarps, coats and gloves. Supplies can be dropped-off at Reach Services, located at 1400 Hulman Street in Terre Haute. Remember, Pathways will open the day center as a warming center when temperatures drop to dangerous levels.
Cash donations are also needed (these funds are to help get Pathways back open full time). CLICK HERE to donate
Wabash Valley Recovery Center
WVRC is also collecting items for the local homeless / recovery community. Those items can be dropped-off at the office at 500 Farrington Street in Terre Haute.
Cash donations will help provide supplies and scholarship programs. CLICK HERE to donate.
Coats 4 Kids (and Adults, too!)
Catholic Charities is hosting the annual, ‘Coats 4 Kids (and Adults, too!)’ coat drive. All coats will be professionally cleaned by Courtesy Cleaners and taken to their Clothes Closet at the Christmas Store for distribution. See a list of drop-off locations below.
The drive goes through November 13.
- The Cottage Coffee and Ice Cream
- 2107 IN-163, Clinton IN 47842
- Dorsett Hyundai, Mitsubishi
- 74 W Springhill Dr
Terre Haute, IN 47802
- 74 W Springhill Dr
- Dorsett Nissan
- 105 W Mayfair Dr
Terre Haute, IN 47802
- 105 W Mayfair Dr
- Dorsett Dodge Ram
- 4120 S US Hwy 41
Terre Haute, IN 47802
- 4120 S US Hwy 41
- Adams Garage
- 1527 Lafayette Ave,
Terre Haute, IN 47804
- 1527 Lafayette Ave,
- Courtesy Cleaners
- 2117 S 3rd St
Terre Haute, IN 47802
- 2117 S 3rd St
- Courtesy Cleaners
- 2701 Wabash Ave
Terre Haute, IN 47803
- 2701 Wabash Ave
- Lynn’s Pharmacy
- 22 W National Ave
Brazil, IN 47834
- 22 W National Ave
- Sugar Bear’s Boutique/ Kynlee’s Korner Kid’s Boutique
- 5129 US Hwy 41
Terre Haute, IN 47802
- 5129 US Hwy 41
