Emergency shelters help homeless

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- The bitter cold will hit Michiana's homeless especially hard. In Benton Harbor, it's a tragedy that is growing at a disturbing rate.



A lot of the homeless work not one, but two jobs and still don't have a place to call home.

Many say it is a matter of staying on top of outrageous utility and water bills.


"You have nothing you know. You have no job, or even a place to stay. How am I going to get shampoo? Or how am I going to get shelter for the night?" said Heather Godwin.



Godwin has been staying at the shelter for three weeks.



"I've never been the type of person to not have a job, I always had a job. It's just when you're a single parent and there's no help, its seems like you're working for nothing," said Jennifer Callahan, who works at the shelter.



Two very different stories, but at the end of the day, both women find themselves homeless and living in the shelter.



"I'm not worried about trying to find a cardboard box or a kids play house or something random to sleep in. I'm safe here," said Godwin.



Kris Massie, manager for the emergency shelter in Benton Harbor, says the face of poverty is changing.



"We're seeing families with two people working but the wage just isn't high enough," said Massie.



One case worker says with the high water rates, utility bills, and rent, a lot of people are struggling.

Share this article: