Now that Segue Racine has secured the second floor of the United Way on Domanik Drive for a temporary overnight shelter, the group is asking for the community’s help to make the space truly welcoming for the guests they expect to see this winter.
Pastor Holly Anderle, one of the clergy leaders of Segue, is cautiously excited about opening the doors of HOSTÂ (Homeless Overnight Sanctuary) next week.
“We are waiting for the building owner to finish some work, and then it’s time to do a good cleaning,” she told Racine County Eye. “This means the world to us. We’ve poured our hearts and spirits and our entire selves into this for just over a year.”
Getting HOST up and running was and continues to be a group effort, Anderle noted.
“We have so many people and groups behind us, helping us and guiding us – all of our shelter partners like HALO, WRC, Safe Haven, Continuum of Care, the HOPES Center, and NAMI have all been critical in helping us getting up to speed,” she added.
Until beds arrive on Nov. 7, the Segue group will have mats, pillows, and necessary linens for guests.
Anderle is well-aware of how generous the greater Racine community can be, so she’s asking folks to wait until Nov. 2 to drop off their donations.
“We’re going to ask people to hold off on most donations until after Nov 2. We need to make sure we have space ready for storage!” she continued.
After Nov. 2, neighbors can bring needed items (see the list below) to HOST between 7 and 8 p.m. or by calling Shelter Manager Yusef Buckley at (262) 417-7242.
The space issue also means that the only clothing items that can be accepted are heavy socks. Anderle said any other clothing needs will be addressed through the Hospitality Center.
HOST will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Nov. 1 through March 31. A $40,000 grant from Racine County is paying the $8,000 monthly rent for the space.
Additionally, Segue leaders plan to schedule a date when building neighbors can tour HOST.
Anyone who would like to volunteer can call Segue at (262) 417-7242, or email segueracine@gmail.com.
Here’s what they need:
Towels
Washcloths
Storage bins
Trash cans
Serving bowls and platters
Folding Tables
Assorted utensils
Assorted serving items
Microwave
Large soup pot
Strainer
Dish detergent
Hand soap liquid
Trash bags
Toilet paper
Tissues
Paper towels
Paper plates
Napkins
Coffee cups
Coffee
Sugar
Creamer
Laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Antibacterial wipes
Bleach
Sponges
Empty spray bottles
Lysol
Bars of soap (in ziploc bags)
Body wash
Shampoo
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Combs (wide and small tooth)
Shower shoes
Paperback books
Playing cards – poker chips
Games
Pens
Pencils
Notebooks (for folks to use as journals)
Computer paper
File folders
Envelopes
Locked medical equipment cabinet
Paper clips, stapler, staples, scissors, and many other office supplies.