WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A space on East Union Street in Wilkes-Barre is now home to the Keystone Mission Innovation Center to help the homeless.
"The homeless have not had a place to get off the streets during the day, so unfortunately, they were congregating on public Square," said Kathy Regan, Keystone Mission operations director.
The Innovation Center opened in October for day services, so this marks the first winter at the new building. By day, the space is a community room. On a Code Blue night, it's filled with cots.
"We've done Code Blue in our building at 290 Parkview in the past, but that is a two-and-a-half mile walk uphill for the homeless to get here, so we have moved Code Blue here with the help of the city," Regan explained.
A Code Blue has already been activated in the city of Wilkes-Barre, so staff at Keystone Mission are preparing for more men and women to come looking for a warm place to stay the night.
"We have been averaging probably 20 people at night, but we will see. This weekend is going to be the coldest, and we have snow predicted."
The nonprofit has enough cots for 50 people. With the first winter storm approaching, they want people to know there is a place for those who need it.
"We've seen people freeze to death, especially those who are totally unsheltered who are sleeping outside without a tent and maybe just a bedroll," Regan said.
During Code Blue hours, the shelter reopens at 8 p.m. and closes the following morning at 7 a.m. before resuming day services.
The shelter is also in need of donations like men's jeans and hygiene items.