November 8, 2008

Saturday evening, the People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM) started its winter season of helping the homeless.

For five years, local churches and congregations have gotten together to provide food and shelter for folks who need a place to sleep, and have no where else to turn.

Adriana Nicholson, Director of Resources at PACEM said, "Being able to help them get to the next level is probably the most wonderful goal and thing that I could accomplish in my lifetime."

Every day from now until March, PACEM will provide shelter for anyone without a place to sleep so no one has to sleep on the streets during the winter.

"Our goal is to just give them warmth and security and help them access the resources they need to get back on their feet--those that are able to do so," said Executive Director of PACEM, Dave Norris.

Some people simply can't afford housing in Charlottesville--like Stanley Rogers who was working in town until he got arthritis of the spine.

"I had to stop working," said Rogers. "General relief, you know, it's only about $130. How are you going to pay bills and do what you need to do with that? The doctors don't want me to bend, reach, or stoop, so that's pretty much everything you need to do when you're working."

PACEM leaders are making a difference. A new Region 10 program in connection with PACEM helped ten people who relied on the shelter to find permanent housing.

"Our chronically homeless numbers are down," said Nicholson.

Norris added, "Our ultimate goal, frankly, it's not going to happen this year, it's not going to happen next year, but I think in a couple of years, our ultimate goal is to put this shelter out of business for lack of need. That's when we'll know we have truly succeeded."

Stanley Rogers is applying for SSI and affordable housing in the area.

"I stay in good spirits," said Rogers. "I try not to let what's happening to me take me down and make me mad and everything. I try to stay happy and go through what I need to do through."

There were only about a dozen or so people at the shelter intake Saturday night, but more people are expected to need shelter as the winter progresses and the nights get colder.

For information on how to volunteer or donate to PACEM, check out their web site.