CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Organizations providing shelter are gearing up for the approaching colder weather season.
A Charlotte nonprofit says it is already seeing an increase of people needing beds after this week’s drop in temperatures.
Roof Above, an interfaith nonprofit, is a comprehensive homeless service provider.
The workers are serving at least 1,200 people per day through a wide range of services, which includes street outreach, day services, emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing.
Kaedon Grinnell is the chief program officer at Roof Above.
He says the nonprofit provides an opportunity for people to make a difference across the Charlotte community.
“The men and women on our teams give every day, show up every day, despite the challenges of the work, to bring services to those we’re working with in the community,” Grinnell said.
Grinnell says his team is preparing for any possible rush of people in need of shelter throughout the colder weather season.
The emergency overnight shelter at the Lucille Giles Center houses 118 beds for men.
It’s running on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Grinnell says throughout the day, men are lined up to get a shelter bed.
He’s expecting the demand to rise as the temperatures drop.
“The cold weather definitely brings increased demand,” Grinnell said. “Last night, we saw 33 individuals over our 118 [bed number]. So we were able to provide that space here at Giles. We’ll have the cleaning teams coming in to get the space prepared for the 118 men we serve tonight plus any of the overflow. We will have cots laid out throughout the area. So in addition to the 118 individuals we serve on a night-by-night basis, we’ll provide space for members of the community who need shelter from the cold.”
One of the men currently utilizing the overnight shelter is Joshua Peterson.
At the current time, Peterson is experiencing homelessness.
“It’s been a humbling experience,” Peterson said. “I didn’t grow up like this. [It’s] really because of incarceration. It wasn’t the right direction.”
Peterson just landed a job and is in the process of securing a held bed at a Roof Above program shelter.
“A foundation where I don’t have to sit in line and worry about where I’ll stay the night,” Peterson said.
He’s grateful for the shelter services Roof Above provides.
“Definitely a good thing,” Peterson said. “Being cold out here is probably the worst.”
Roof Above is in need of additional volunteers and donations, such as hats and gloves during the colder weather season.