Homeless shelters extend services due to cold

DENVER - With record-low temperatures forecast, workers at the Denver Rescue Mission overnight shelter were expecting Sunday to be a busy night.

"We might see anywhere from an extra 150 to 200 folks," said Jonnell Ashley, who works as a volunteer and work therapy coordinator at the Denver Rescue Mission.

That expectation has caused workers at the shelter to put out an extra 100 cots, in addition to the 200 existing beds, for several nights in a row. Many of the cots are placed in the facility's chapel, creating an overflow shelter.

The shelter operates on its Cold Weather Plan whenever the temperature drops below 32 degrees or stays below 32 degrees during the night.

According to a spokesperson with Aurora Warms the Night, the shelter was over its capacity before noon on Sunday. Seventy people were at the shelter, which only has 49 rooms. Workers are trying to get people to double up in rooms to keep anyone from having to sleep on the streets.

Through a partnership with several day shelters, the Denver Rescue Mission finds out if it needs to open its doors early because of extreme cold.

"There are times that they (day shelters) get full," said Ashley. "If they get full, they give us a call and we open our chapel area during the day for those who get cold."

But Ashley knows not every homeless person will accept the offer. On Sunday afternoon, as the Denver Rescue Mission served a free hot lunch, a handful of homeless people stood across the street, huddled in blankets.

"This is all new to me," said David McDougall who was among the people standing outside.

The 32-year-old says he could not get into a shelter because he doesn't have any identification.

"I don't want to be out here," he said, "do you?"

Louis Bethke knows what it's like to be outside in the freezing temperatures. This time, though, he was inside the Denver Rescue Mission's dining hall, enjoying a burrito covered in green chili.

Bethke got off of the streets and joined the Denver Rescue Mission's men's program just three days ago. He's guaranteed to have hot meals and a place to stay.

"I joined the program to get my life together," he said.

But Bethke remembers the days when he wouldn't set foot in a shelter, no matter how cold it was outside.

"I just never pursued it. I didn't want to be contained. I felt like I would be in jail," he said.

Some also think that rules against drugs and alcohol keep some homeless people from going to shelters.

"It's their choice," said Ashley.

The Denver Rescue Mission tries to provide as many homeless people as possible with blankets, coats, hats, scarves and gloves. The organization is currently requesting donations of these items. They may be dropped off at 1130 Park Avenue West.

For more information on the Denver Rescue Mission, log onto www.denverrescuemission.org.