Work is underway in Chatham to fill a void in helping the homeless, a new safe haven to provide homeless people shelter.
Earlier this week, Chatham's Barb Lovell and Gary Patterson crossed paths with a young person, cold, alone and noticeably down on their luck.
“So we approached the person, we stopped and grabbed a hot chocolate and soup to make sure that they were warm," says Patterson.
The couple say their gesture was welcomed immediately, but they didn't know how to assist any further.
"It only takes one frosty night and somebody doesn't find a place to go and you don't want to see anybody freeze to death," says Patterson.
Additional help is already on the way for some Chatham residents in need. Work is underway at the New Beginning Ministries, where the church basement is being converted into a homeless men's safe haven.
"To keep people out of the cold, to keep them safe and ultimately to try and get them back into society so that they can function with everybody else," says Rachael Laidler from New Beginnings.
Congregation members and volunteers have been working since the spring to raise funds and renovate.
The goal is to have 10 beds to sleep on overnight and food and clothing to help those in need.
The New Beginning House - A Point of Hope is expected to be ready by January.
There is a 10-year plan to combat homelessness throughout Chatham-Kent.
Organizers of the New Beginning House say they need mature male volunteers willing to spend the night hours at the safe haven to serve as mentors.
They say if they're not ready by January, people in need of a place to stay can sleep inside the church sanctuary.
