This article was published in the Saratogian.
Homelessness has been a hot topic in the Spa City, and while the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness works to establish a permanent solution, RISE Housing and Support Services recently set up a temporary, 24/7 low-barrier shelter to serve the community.
After receiving the 5-0 vote from the Saratoga Springs City Council on June 9, the RISE team made quick work to get its new shelter up and running.
Operating at 4 Adelphi St., where the Code Blue Shelter used to be located, the space was transformed throughout adding in a new space for staff and A/C along with using donations from the community like the fencing around the perimeter from the Dake Family, lockers from the Corinth School District and tables from the former Longfellows Restaurant.
“We could not have done this without the generosity first of all of the Bonacio’s who are donating a very large amount of money to make this happen, (former Mayor) Meg Kelly and all her work that went into coordinating everything to put this together and just the rest of the community coming out to support us with donations of food, linens for the beds, furniture, time volunteering — it’s been it’s been wonderful.” RISE executive director Sybil Newell said when talking about the generosity of the community in their donations to the shelter.
The shelter has 36 beds, which according to Newell has been full and stayed full since the shelter opened its doors and now has a waiting list of around 15 people. The residents are a mix of men and women, ranging in age from 22 to 75 years old.
One of the most important things about this shelter is the fact that it is a low barrier. This means people can come in and “just be” as Newell puts it. There are not too many expectations of the residents as long as they are being safe and if people want assistance getting housing or getting treatment or getting benefits, the staff at the shelter and RISE is there to help them.
But other than that, the people are allowed to just stay, have fun and eat three meals a day without a time limit on when they have to leave.
“It’s really difficult to focus on your future when you don’t know where you’re sleeping at night or where your next meal is coming from, so it’s understandable that people wouldn’t be thinking long term,” Newell said in regards to the importance of this shelter. “Once you get people in and they’re not hungry and they’re clean and they feel safe.
“We have people who are asking for assistance with housing and a few of them are looking for different treatment options, benefits and jobs. We had the Commissioner of Public Works here, Jason Golub, and he was meeting with all of our folks and taking down their names and their contact information, and what skills they have, in case they have openings for them.”
One of the biggest challenges the shelter has faced since opening has been finding the staff to operate.
Especially since COVID, finding people to work at the shelter has been a struggle, because they need staff at the shelter 24/7. It is hard to find the numbers to keep it operating 24/7, let alone for any programs. Currently, there are six full-time shelter staff, in addition to other rise staff who come over regularly to fill in.
In terms of the community reception, Newell said she knows having a homeless shelter near where someone lives or near where someone owns a business is never a first choice, but they are doing everything they can to ensure that disturbances are kept to a minimum.
According to Newell, it has been pretty smooth so far, and one way she is attempting to keep it that way is through reaching out to the residents, especially those who have expressed concerns at city council meetings, to set up meetings to keep communication strong between the shelter and neighbors.
Newell went on to note that people who are homeless don’t want to be or stay homeless.
“They (homeless individuals) want to have a safe, dignified place to sleep and to live, but in many cases, people just aren’t ready to engage with a lot of rules,” Newell explained. “And that’s what gives the impression that people want to be homeless and that’s not the case. As soon as we opened, everyone from the parking garage came over, so I think that as long as you’re treating people like people, and meeting them where they are and what they’re ready for, people will surprise you.”
One request Newell and her staff has for the community or those wanting to support the shelter is to donate.
Financial donations are what are most appreciated because those funds can be applied directly to the needs of the shelter and those living there. Those wanting to donate can find the link right on the Rise website, as well as information for those who might want to get involved and volunteer.