Imagine being without a home on these cold nights? For people without a home, the Roanoke Rescue Mission provides shelter. These days more people are coming in, but it's not necessarily just because of the cold.
Daphne Childress and her daughter Kaila are staying at the Roanoke Rescue Mission's Women's and Children's shelter. For Childres it was one thing after another, beginning with trouble paying her rent. "I had an apartment and I could not afford rent and utilities also," Childress said.
Then just a few weeks ago she hurt her leg. "I had knee surgery on the third so that led to unemployment," Childress said. That landed Childress and her daughter at the mission. "I'm very thankful to have a place to come," Childress said.
The 26-year old has been at the shelter for one month. Her goal is to go back to school to finish up work to become a hair stylist and nail technician. "That's where my heart is now," she said.
Childress is one of many moms staying at the Rescue Mission shelter which these days has been full. On cold nights no one is turned away, said Lee Clark, the Rescue Mission Director of Development. Instead, foam mattresses are set up on the floor of the living area. That's happened at least once this week, but the falling mercury hasn't dramatically increased numbers at the mission.
"It's been a high number all year long and the numbers which we've been serving have been up really due to the economy," said Clark.
Meanwhile residents at the mission go to the mission's chapel Monday through Thursday, eat meals at the mission and take advantage of the family activities and other resources that are available.
"You know they help us and guide us along the way," Childress said "It's very much a lifesaver. If I didn't have anywhere else to go and it's 14 degrees outside. I would much rather have a nice warm bed than to have to be out in the cold."
The Roanoke Rescue Mission facilities can house about 400 people a night including about 50 to 60 children. This year is the first year in its history that the mission has housed more women and children than men.
