Behind every statistic at our shelter lies a story of determination, resilience, and community. This holiday season, as winter’s first chill settled into our neighborhood, these numbers represented real lives touched, real changes made, and real hope restored.
A Month of Impact
To illustrate this point we want to share some of our recent numbers from the month of November. Every night in November, our shelter buzzed with activity. We provided 266 bed nights for women and 622 for men – each representing a safe, warm place to rest and rebuild. These weren’t just beds; they a safe, warm and dry place for our guests to rest their weary heads as they work to rebuild their lives.
Our kitchen served 1,776 meals – each one a chance for connection, conversation, and dignity. When someone sits down for a meal, they’re not just receiving food; they’re joining a community that cares. We are showing we care, one hot meal at a time.
We welcomed 31 new guests through our doors – 9 women and 22 men – each taking that brave first step toward change this past November. Every new face represents trust placed in our services and hope for a different future.
Transforming Lives
Perhaps our most meaningful number: 6 of our guests transitioned into housing this month. That’s 6 unique stories of perseverance, 6 new chapters beginning, 6 lives transformed through the power of community support and personal determination. 6 lives that could not have accomplished their journey to homes of their own without the support of our donors.
Behind the scenes, 438 volunteer hours were donated by community members just like you. These hours represent neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming friends, and our community showing up when it matters most.
Rising to Meet Growing Needs
If you follow us online or on our socials you’ve probably heard us mention this next fact, because it is truly remarkable when you consider we are a volunteer based organization with limited space, operating out of a former parish kitchen. Last year, we served over 20,000 meals to our neighbors in need. This year, we’re on track to exceed that number – not because we want to, but because we must. The need in our community continues to grow, and we continue to rise to meet it.
The Reality of Hope
As a donation-based organization, every meal served, every bed provided, and every life transformed is made possible by people like you. Your support isn’t just a donation – it’s an investment in hope, dignity, and second chances.
This holiday season, as part of our “Shine Light, Give Hope” fundraiser, we’re aiming to raise $36,000 to ensure we can continue meeting our community’s growing needs. We cannot do this work alone. This is our community’s shelter and La Porte County’s only emergency shelter serving men, women, and women with children.
When you support our shelter, you’re not just donating funds – you’re providing:
– A safe place to sleep on a cold night out of the brutal wind off of Lake Michigan
– A nourishing meal shared in community made with care, and served with love
– A chance for someone to rebuild their life with continued support
– Hope when it’s needed most and even when it’s not- it’s still there for each of our guests
Each statistic represents a neighbor, a friend, a fellow human being working to rebuild their life. Your support makes their journey possible.
Will you join us in shining light and giving hope this holiday season?
