Wednesday's editorial profiles the relatively new North Strand Housing Shelter and the good work it's doing:
The North Strand Housing Shelter in Longs has been open for less than a year and is consistently turning away homeless people. "We're full every night," says Dana Black, founder of the shelter with her husband Michael Bolch. The shelter has a capacity of 16 in its all-volunteer operation in a building on S.C. 9. Black says two to eight people are turned away during a typical week and some of those go on a waiting list so the shelter stays full when a guest finds an apartment. Black says the shelter is looking at options for expansion.
The shelter has been running at capacity since about May as the shelter became known. It opened late in December 2010 and by February was averaging about 10 guests a night. "We're on the radar" now of other community services in the North Myrtle Beach-Little River area. The typical length of stay varies. After seven nights, guests have the option of going into a discipleship program that includes community service, on-site maintenance and cleaning, regular Bible study, reading and journaling. Or they may sign on for the outreach program in which a coordinator helps them look for employment and housing.
"That's working well," Black says of the program. "A single man just moved into an apartment. He is so thrilled." He ate dinner at the shelter one recent evening, illustrating the family atmosphere. The man continues to help at the shelter and had returned to do a repair job. The outreach program also has two men who have jobs at the new Goodwill store opening in North Myrtle Beach. They successfully completed a Goodwill employment program.
North Strand Housing Shelter is a newly designated community partner of the United Way of Horry County, for the 2011-12 fundraising campaign that officially kicked off last week and Black is justly proud of the shelter becoming a United Way agency. The shelter opened within months of the property being located. She and her husband closed on the property in October 2010 and the long unoccupied building, once a shelter for women and children, was rapidly renovated with a new roof and heating and air conditioning system. Many generous people who recognized the need contributed money, time and materials. The shelter operates under the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization Worldview Ministry International. Expenses are running $4,500 to $5,000 a month, including gas for a donated bus that is larger than the shelter needs.
Many of those who showed big hearts are affiliated with the 20 to 22 organizations, mostly churches but including some civic groups, that continue to support the shelter. Meals are provided by church volunteers. "It's so neat to watch - when they bring food, they sit and eat with shelter guests." At first, the volunteers were a bit standoffish but they are engaged now. "It's been really encouraging," Black says.
On some evenings, dinners are at area soup kitchens including Hope's Kitchen at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church on Tuesdays and Little River United Methodist Church on Fridays. Three times a month the meal is at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church.
How to help
North Strand Housing Shelter needs volunteers as well as paper goods and cleaning supplies. To volunteer or make a contribution to the shelter: Online, go to www.northstrandhousingshelter.org
Phone founder Dana Black, 843-798-9091
Mail donations to North Strand Housing Shelter,
P.O. Box 529, North Myrtle Beach SC 29597
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