Funds desperately needed to keep homeless shelter open

The Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House Homeless Shelter is in desperate need of funds to help cover expenses, or possibly face closing its doors. Since the Friendship House re-opened a year ago, 292 homeless people have had a warm, clean safe place to sleep. These people had breakfast and dinner served family style and a packed lunch to take to work or as they searched for jobs or to spend days in volunteer jobs. They had a place to take a shower, and wash their clothes. They had caring volunteers and paid staff to direct them to counselors, transportation and housing.

The Friendship House has had many success stories. “Amy” and her three small children were able to get back on their feet, after losing everything. She received counseling, found two jobs and saved enough

money to get an apartment. “Steven” came to the shelter as a recovering drug addict. A middle-aged successful business owner, he lost everything when be became involved with drugs. “Steven” stayed here for almost 90 days, went to Narcotics Anonymous, sought solace from a local church and received counseling. He has now relocated to Atlanta, found a great job and a whole new beginning. “John P”, due to illness, was a young homeless man. Through the shelter, he was able to reconnect with his mother in San Antonio an get a bus ticket that would take him home.

The shelter accommodates up to 20 people at a time, allowing a maximum stay of three months. Last year, a total of 4,398 nights of shelter were provided. The shelter expects to qualify for some grants in the coming year, but such funds are normally

distributed later in the year. “We stayed well within our budget for 2006, however, we fell short of our expected income”, according to board member, Linda Ray.

The Friendship House relies heavily on community support to provide shelter to the homeless in the Tri-State area. It is the only homeless shelter within at least 100 miles. A donation of $250 will cover shelter expenses for one day. A donation of $900 or more will sponsor a room with your plague over the door for one year. Please help us keep our doors open to the homeless!

The Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House, Inc. is a non-profit organization under Section 501c-3 of the IRS. Your gift is tax deductible. Checks may be sent to the Friendship House at PO Box 422, Murphy, NC 28906