Last season, every single night Nest La Porte was open, our services were utilized. The Nest La Porte shelter was never empty overnight previous season. Let that sink in for a moment. Not most nights. Not during the coldest weeks. Every. Single. Night.
When we closed our doors last spring, we knew the need was great. But the numbers told a story more urgent than we had imagined. We knew that we had to find a way to return to La Porte this season. This season will once again be a community effort with partnerships from the City of La Porte, the Center Township Trustee’s office, and the community to support this emergency cold weather shelter.
Behind Every Number, A Human Story
These aren’t just statistics on a spreadsheet. Each filled bed represented someone who might otherwise have spent the night outside in frigid conditions and may have lost their life due to the extreme cold. Each person who walked through our doors brought their own story, but they all held one thing in common: they were our neighbors in need who needed refuge from the brutal cold of the season.
What struck our staff and volunteers most wasn’t just the measure of the need, but the diversity of people seeking shelter. This wasn’t one demographic facing housing insecurity, it was our entire community. We saw guests of all ages and backgrounds, solidifying that homelessness can impact anyone.
The Reality We Couldn’t Ignore
Being utilized every night meant we had to rely on our volunteer base more than ever, as both shelters operated in Michigan City and La Porte. For our organization, this meant closely monitoring staff and volunteers as they stretched resources, because no one should freeze to death in the cold on the streets.
But it also meant something else: our community has a crisis that won’t solve itself over the summer months. We knew when we ceased operations last spring that we had to find a way to make this shelter return this fall.
Why We’re Coming Back
The data didn’t just show us the scope of the problem – it showed us the consequences of inaction. Without emergency shelter services this winter, unhoused neighbors in our community would face exposure, unsafe sleeping situations, and possible death from the elements.
The Community We Serve Together
Operating Nest La Porte every night wasn’t just about our organization; it was about our community stepping up. La Porte residents stepped up in a massive way last season to staff the shelter and support their neighbors in need. We could not have done it without these amazing individuals
That same community spirit is why we’re confident we can meet this challenge again.
Looking Ahead
This winter, we anticipate a need that will be just as great, if not greater. But we also know something else: when our community comes together around this shared challenge, we can ensure that no one faces the cold alone.
Our doors will open on October 15th. Because the data is clear, the need is urgent, and our community deserves nothing less than our full commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe place to sleep.
If you’d like to volunteer or contribute to Nest La Porte, please sign up here.
