By Staff
The Project Homeless Connect Soup Kitchen last Thursday helped raise awareness about homelessness.
Phyllis Ifill works at Dial-A-Ride in Dowagiac.
She had been noticing a man who she suspected was homeless.
Tuesday he looked particularly unwell; after getting permission from her supervisor, Ifill went out to the man and asked him how he was sleeping.
He said it's hard when you don't have a place to sleep.
Apparently since Thanksgiving he has been staying around the cemetery or in park bathrooms, spending time during the day at the library.
Ifill gave the man a few dollars to get something to eat. She called Pastor Tyrone Pace at Second Baptist Church, asking what could be done. Pastor Pace in turn called Ruth Andrews at Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network.
Andrews talked to Ifill, then called Yvonne Vidt at Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency.
Vidt, who's in charge of emergency placements, advised Andrews the man could go straight to Castle Inn and call her at 1-800-334-7670 when he arrived.
Dial-A-Ride provided transportation. The man arrived at Castle Inn, but had no food. Andrews called Pastor Pace again.
Pastor Pace drove to Castle Inn, found the young man, and took him to Save-A-Lot, using funds from the Church Benevolence Fund to purchase some food items.
While he was there, he also purchased food for another man staying at Castle Inn who had recently been released from prison.
Pastor Pace has been planning a support group for men in recovery. Hopefully, both of these men will take advantage of it.
When Pastor Pace and the young man returned to Castle Inn, a woman from the Salvation Army was waiting for them.
Vidt had contacted her about the young man's situation.
Anyone who encounters someone they suspect to be homeless can do what Ifill did.
Ask them how they're doing. Ask them if they have a place to stay.
If they don't, ask if you could make a phone call on their behalf.
Call Yvonne Vidt at SMCAA at 1-800-334-7670 during the day or, Vidt can be reached 24 hours a day at (269) 228-1141.