Day Shelter
On a cold December 7, 1987 the RAM House day shelter opened it’s doors for the first time. The shelter serves as a safe haven from the elements and a resource center for the homeless. The renovated sanctuary of the former Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic church is a place of refuge and eases the burden of homelessness for people each day.
Shelter Manager, Tim Williams says, “Having a place to go gives a person an opportunity change the course of their life and get it going in the right direction.”
One way Tim helps people get back on their feet is by organizing the day labor program. He serves as an advocate for the RAM House guests and makes sure the men are treated fairly on the job. Construction, landscaping, maintenance companies and individuals come to RAM to hire day laborers to do everything from construction to yard work. Tim says, “Sometimes a day labor job will turn into a full-time job.”
The Day Shelter is also a place to help people learn about other resources available to help them regain independence. Tim organizes quarterly information sessions by inviting representatives from other agencies to come and speak to the guests. This makes it easier for people to get the information they need and to find out what resources are available to them.
Assistant Shelter Manager Mike Vermillion says, “It’s even more important now to provide resources because of the effects of the slow economy and there’s just aren’t as many jobs available out there.”
Some people might not think having a safe place to go during the day is that important. The RAM House Day Shelter is more than a waiting room, it’s a safe haven where a person can find a way out of their circumstances. With the services RAM provides combined with information from other agencies in town a person can gradually regain independence.
Assistant Shelter Manager Darrell Williams believes RAM is a place where lives are changed. “I’ve seen a person come in to RAM for the first time and be completely down-trodden and out of sorts and then in a while you start to see that spark back in the person’s eye. I’ve seen it.”