The Shelter Updates and Latest News
Latest News
Mel Eby retires after 25 years service. Read the Shelter Board press release dated March 28, 2013.- Read the latest updates on The Shelter's response to address the recent allegations.
- The Chair of The Shelter Board of Directors responds to the Tallahassee Democrat article dated February 15, 2013.
- Mel Eby receives 2013 Person of the Year award
- Homeless Persons Memorial Day
- Latest Shelter Newsletter.
- The Shelter in the News
- Latest Shelter YouTube Video - A Touching Story about The Shelter and our Legendary Director, Mel Eby.
- Homeless in the Capital City - Link to the award winning video clip by Pietrodangelo Production Group
On-Going News
So far this winter season, no people have died on the streets of Tallahassee. This should not sound unusual it should be a very rare occurrence in Florida.
But, last winter, four human beings were found dead in our community. Two of them received no mention in the press, and the two who did warrant a small article were forgotten rather quickly.
Here at The Shelter, we can't forget them because prior to their deaths they were our guests, but they found our overcrowded conditions intolerable. They decided to go back to their outdoor camps to live - and to die. We may have known these lost souls best and we also knew them last.
One of our biggest fears was that a homeless person with chronic medical problems would die inside the walls of The Shelter, but now we realize it may be preferable to the alternative of dying in a secluded location with no one to get them help. At least here, they have a chance to live by getting them to the hospital when we become aware of a medical crisis, which is quite often.
We may never know how many lives are being saved by just providing simple shelter from the elements, nursing care and by our filing the many prescriptions for antibiotics, heart medications, blood pressure pills and even psychotropic drugs. We may never know how many taxpayer dollars are saved by our crisis intervention of the mentally ill people that now make up over half of The Shelter's guests. Costs of incarceration are ten times the cost of housing them here.
If you choose to continue being part of the vital community support that we have counted on for twenty years, please let us know which key area you prefer your contributions to go to:
Emergency Fund
Goes directly to individuals or families, includes prescription costs, bus tickets to reunite them with relatives, dental extractions, start-up utility deposits, etc.
Program Supplies
Bath tissue, laundry detergent, and food related supplies.
Capital Campaign
Longer term fund to enable The Shelter to expand the facility and add beds. We are currently averaging 229 guests each night with only room for 110 permanent beds.
The Shelter is a United Way agency and 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, but we would not be able to operate without the goodwill of people like you. Thank you so much, on behalf of our staff, our board and 3,000+ people each year.
