As the temperatures begin to drop below freezing on a nightly basis, survival becomes that much harder for the homeless population here in the Tri-Cities. The Tri-City Union Gospel Mission located in Pasco is gearing up for what should be another cold winter. Temperatures are expected to begin dropping below freezing during the nights, which poses many challenges to the homeless community.
"In our community where there's a lot of transient population that still carries a lot of shame and guilt that they can't find a place to stay and so they'll hide," said Tri-City Union Gospel Mission Director of Ministries Chariss Warner. "When they hide, and they don't come in for services, then that's when it gets really dangerous."
According to the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission, 30,000 Tri-Cities residents live at or below the poverty line. 644 people are considered chronically homeless. Those numbers include 800 children in Benton and Franklin counties.
"We have people who check in around this time of year, and won't check out until either they get permanent housing with our case management programs, or they find family or friends who are willing to take them in, or it warms up," said Warner.
If those aren't options, some resort to drastic measures.
"Some people even commit crimes so that they can go to jail and stay warm," said Warner.
The Mission wants the homeless community to take advantage of the services they offer, because they're not just a homeless shelter, they're a transformation center.
"We do see more people coming in when it's cold," said Warner. "Especially when there's moisture on the ground. It drives them inside which is great because then we can offer them a hot shower, a hot meal, case management services and just get them to trust that we're not your typical shelter that just gives you three hots and cot."
It's an opportunity that could not only turn someone's day around, but their life as well.
If you feel like making a difference as the weather turns colder, click here for the Tri-City UGM list of urgent needs.