Emergency Shelter Services in Benton Harbor could use a little more support heading into the new year.
The group helps find housing for those who have lost it in Berrien County. President Bridget Kuglin tells us it’s a more common problem than some may think.
“Homelessness can happen to anybody,” Kuglin said. “Maybe people have a certain idea of what they think an unhoused person is like, but truly it can happen to anyone. It’s one lost job, one health crisis. Maybe somebody doesn’t have a support network like so many of us are so blessed to have.”
And Emergency Shelter Services provides 28 beds to families across Berrien County each day. It supports guests as they look for more stable housing.
“We are a women and family shelter. One thing that I think is really special about the shelter that Emergency Shelter Services runs is sometimes you think of a shelter as just a building and maybe there’s some beds and stuff, but this truly is a home.”
Kuglin says Emergency Shelter Services has been affected by recent federal funding instability. It’s now shifting to a more local approach to secure funding, and anyone can help. Donations are welcome as Emergency Shelter Services works to continue helping those in need as it has since the 1970s.
You can make a monetary donation at its website, or even purchase items from its Amazon wishlist to help stock the pantry.
