LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Hope Center in Lexington has workers out checking on the homeless, and they’re opening their doors with the hot weather this week.
Their emergency shelter on Loudon Avenue typically sees around 180 men, but they’re expecting up to 250 this week.
Officials say they anticipate a big increase due to the hot weather, and they won’t turn anyone away.
“I think it's a great place, it saved my life also. And Dave Brown is awesome. And this place - we give back to everybody who don't have anything,” said Hope Center client Nicholas Boston.
He says their recovery program helped turn his life around, but their emergency shelter is also a crucial service they provide to the community.
“They open it up for anybody, if somebody don't have nowhere to go and they need somewhere to stay, they're more than welcome they're not going to turn you away. They're gonna let you have somewhere to sleep, put some food in your belly. They take care of you here,” said Boston.
The Hope Mobile will be busy too handing out supplies around Lexington with the high temperatures this week.
They could use donations of water or sack lunches, and other items for the 250 men expected at the shelter.
“Toiletries, razors, deodorant, anything like that they are in great need of at the emergency shelter. Also over the counter medications,” said Hope Center Development Director Carrie Thayer.
Thayer says they couldn't do what they do without volunteers and donations, and even as temperatures drop this fall, they still need your support.
“It's just a good thing to keep in mind that homelessness happens all the time 24/7 and having a place that can help them is super important,” said Thayer.
We reported back in July that the Hope Center’s street outreach team was on hold. We’re told they’ve figured out a new funding sources and a new outreach plan is in the works.
You can bring donations to the Hope Center on Loudon Avenue. For more information: https://www.hopectr.org/donations/
