JONESBORO, Ga. — The Chapel Jonesboro has turned its fellowship hall into Cathie’s House warming shelter as some look to get out of the frigid cold and into the comfort of a warm place.
One of the organizers said she is hoping to reach as many people as possible because of the struggles she’s faced.
“Oftentimes, some don’t want the help. Some are used to getting treated bad or taken advantage of," Te' Julianne Brown said.
Brown said she wants to help unhoused people in her community because she once was in their shoes.
“I did grow up in foster care, and that pretty much led to homelessness and couch hopping," Brown said. "Now, I did not live under a bridge because a lot of people say that, hey, they think homeless means you’re living under a bridge."
As a young woman who aged out of foster care, she suddenly found herself alone in the world and homeless.
That is part of her inspiration for running Clayton County’s only 24-hour warming shelter inside her church on Commercial Court just off of Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro.
It’s a community effort, but county leaders say the government should be doing more.
“Does the county need to step up in its role? The answer is a definitive and aggressive 'yes.' Yes, we must do it yesterday. We’ve got a lot to get done. We’ve got a lot of homeless veterans, homeless mothers, and homeless families," said Clayton County Commissioner DeMont Davis.
The shelter has been open for four days—and will stay open as long as the weather stays dangerously cold.
So far, 15 people have come in for a warm place to lay their heads, but Brown said she’s hoping more will show up.
“My pastor has said if we fill up in here, we have a whole sanctuary. We’re not going to turn anyone away as long as we have the capacity," Brown said.
Coordinators for the warming shelter are working with other nonprofits to provide transportation for anyone who needs help getting here.
And they're looking for someone with a mobile shower and laundromat.
You can learn more and help out with this effort by visiting the link here.