HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The Holland Rescue Mission has seen an 100% increase in their Family Hope Center for Women and Children. Right now they are over capacity and receive over 10 calls a day for housing.
Executive Director Darryl Bartlett says it’s unprecedented. Women and children are sleeping on cots and mats in public spaces in the building. On the men’s side they are running 50-70 right now, but as the weather gets colder those numbers will rise.
Bartlett says there are a lot of layers to homelessness and for women and children, a woman needs to be able to have her children cared for when seeking employment. Children need stability especially those who attend school.
” We didn’t call our Family Hope Center the Family Hope Center of the Rescue Mission because we don’t want the children stigmitized that they are homeless. We’re trying to give them as normal of an experience in a nuclear family at home that we can give them. So when the bus pulls up for school they don’t know that it’s anything different as an apartment complex that they have pulled up into.”
There are several ways to help. Monetary donations, daycare and providers are needed. Clothing and toiletries are accepted as well. There is an urgent need for undergarments for women and children too.
Volunteer opportunities are also available.
