CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- The Carbondale Warming Center has kept its doors open for nearly two months longer than they intended as more than 200 people have used its services since December.
Organizers say the need is too great to close its doors now as they work to secure funding to become a year-round shelter.
"This is the most stability I've had in three years," said resident Meleah Crist. "I can be myself. I can relax, have something to eat -- I was starving before I came here, lost everything I had, it's been really rough."
Residents are up against time as organizers pursue a path to remain open, but without additional funding, the center will be forced to close its doors at the end of June, potentially putting its more than 30 guests back on the streets.
Coordinator Carmalita Cahill says the demand for the shelter's services will increase in June as the hold on evictions during the pandemic lifts.
"So it's not just the people we've been serving, we have a whole other wave coming," said Cahill, adding that she is working with the shelter's committee as well as writing grant requests to find funding that will keep the doors open.
"They provide us with good nourishing meals, safe place to sleep, and good atmosphere," said resident Josh Snyder, who says he's lived on-and-off the streets for several years. The shelter is home while he works with its social Workers to give his life some order. "There's a sense of comradery here because everybody's the same. Everybody's in the same situation, and we come together and that's our common ground."
Snyder questions the future for the warming shelter's guests if it is unable to find the funding. "Where would the people go? People have no family, no friends. People have mental disorders, anxiety disorders, everything," he said, adding, "It would be, at this point right now, disastrous."
The Carbondale Warming Center is funded to re-open in December, but to keep those doors open between now and then, they need close to $25,000 a month.
The Center is equipped to expand its services with additional space available to house more guests. Organizers say it's just a matter of funding.
