Eva's three shelters provide emergency beds for up to 35 individuals when temperatures dip below freezing. Cathy Xerri, House Manager of the Woman's Shelter at Eva's Village, explains how Eva's staff
“Our objective is to get people living on the street in out of the cold, to give them shelter.” - Housing Services Manager Tara McCaskill
Paterson, NJ (PRWEB) March 16, 2017
During this week's cold snap and blizzard, all three shelters at Eva’s Village were filled to capacity, including emergency beds added for the men, women, and mothers with children who needed a warm place to sleep. Throughout the winter, when temperatures fall below freezing overnight, Eva’s Village activates a Code White Alert, increasing capacity to offer more homeless individuals a chance to trade a night on the streets for a warm bed. “Our objective is to get people living on the street in out of the cold, to give them shelter,” noted Housing Services Manager Tara McCaskill.
When temperatures are mild, Eva’s Village shelters accommodate 29 men, 36 women, and 7 mothers with up to 15 of their children. In severe weather and during Code White Alerts, Eva’s Shelters will often add 12-16 emergency beds each night. Demand for emergency beds has dropped to an average of 6-8 with this winter's warmer temperatures, though this week's cold snap and blizzard filled Eva's Women’s and Men's Shelters to capacity.
Eva’s Village notifies the police, municipal, county and state agencies when a Code White Alert is declared. Sub-freezing temperatures also trigger Passaic County’s Code Blue Alert, opening designated daytime warming centers in the community; but these centers don’t offer overnight stays.
During a Code White Alert, shelter managers set up mattresses on the floor in common areas, increasing total capacity by nearly one-third across Eva's three shelters for men, women and women with children. “If we have no beds free, we call 211 and reach out to the police,” said Cathy Xerri, House Manager of Eva’s Women’s Shelter. Each Code White guest is offered a meal and a chance to shower regardless of the time they arrive, she explained. People hear about Eva’s shelters through word of mouth, and are referred by the police or other community agencies. The police “bring clients in need of shelter to us, year-round,” said Ms. McCaskill.
Eva’s staff conducts an abbreviated intake workup and an on-the-spot drug screen for each guest before providing an emergency bed. “This population has a high incidence of mental illness and substance abuse,” noted Ms. McCaskill. “If we suspect impairment due to intoxication, we do not turn clients out, but take them to the hospital to be medically cleared.” The next morning, staff members will complete a full assessment for each guest to help evaluate their overall needs.
Code White clients “generally stay just one night, but some may stay longer depending on their situation,” noted Ms. Xerri. Shelter clients have the option to stay for up to 90 days while they work towards stable and independent living. “If we have room, Code White guests who meet our criteria may transition into our shelters and recovery programs, or we will refer them to other programs and services in the community that best meet their needs,” she explained.
