Brunswick County Homeless Coalition looks to add county shelter | News

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The economy has landed a lot of people out of a job and a home.

Local homeless shelters stay busy and in need of help but one county wants to take helping the homeless to the next level.

The Brunswick County Homeless Coalition formed last November and with one year under its belt it has a better understanding of its needs.

However, limited resources have volunteers looking for a helping hand of their own.

"We need to have a day program where we can help these people, mentor them, be there for them so they can go back to having their own home," said Barbara Serafin, the coalition's president.

The coalition currently works without a shelter and on private donations. It is forced to send those without a home to places like Good Shepherd in Wilmington and shelters in South Carolina.

"These are our neighbors in need and I feel like we are passing our responsibility on to another county," said Rev. Donna Phelps, who also helps up with the mission.

The coalition is currently in talks with Brunswick County commissioners in hopes of getting them on board with the idea of a county shelter, but some commissioners are hesitant and have voiced concerns about who will pay for it, run it and maintain it.

Organizers said their mission is more than just getting a county shelter.

"We have no transportation system in Brunswick County and because of liability and safety reasons that causes an issue with host sites," said Phelps.

Local churches currently rotate as night shelters, but some say this is merely a short term solution to a major problem.

"I've been able to see the journey and it's not an easy journey and some of them I have the greatest respect for because they want to return to a home and live a productive life but they need the resources and the help to do that," said Serafin.

Organizers have suggested using the current senior center in Shallotte as a shelter. By Spring 2013, the building will be vacant as it is moving into a new location.

Commissioners didn't want to go on camera on the topic saying it was too early to discuss adding a possible shelter in the area. They said they still have a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to the homeless population in the county.

An event is scheduled for Nov. 10 at Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach. It is free and open to the public. Organizers hope to educate the public on the homeless problem in Brunswick County.

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