Photo from NYC Rescue Mission Blog
The back-to-back winter storms stretch the resources of many, but prove especially challenging to people experiencing homelessness.
New York’s Department of Homeless Services is utilizing it’s Code Blue procedure for the second year in a row, but the demand for clean, safe, and warm shelter is greater than the city can handle on it’s own.
The Guardian writes about the situation New Yorkers face, highlighting the testimony of Kenneth Ricks and the work of the people at New York City Rescue Mission. Ricks is a 51 year old man who lost his job last year before he was involved in an accident which led to the amputation of his foot. After being hospitalized and out of work, he lost his home for the first time in his life, and is struggling to survive the cold.
New York City Rescue Mission is struggling to provide overflow capacity to the overfull city shelters.
From the article:
But a few blocks away at the New York City Rescue Mission, David Chicaguala, the shelter’s chief operating officer, is preparing for a further influx of guests. On Thursday night the shelter was at almost double capacity – 140 people – as the city called a “Code Blue”, meaning shelters were instructed to keep their premises open all day and admit everyone in need, even if that meant going over capacity.