All the beds in the Eddy House's emergency shelter are full and the organization is doing what it can to make operations work.
"We're seeing the need for homeless youth services continuing to grow both out in the community and here on site," said Trevor Macaluso, CEO for the Eddy House.
Macaluso said this is the first time they've dealt with capacity issues. The Eddy House has had to pull out cots and make more room to fit this influx of people needing help.
The shelter is made to only fit up to 40 teenagers and young adults, but right now they're having about 50 to 60 coming in to use their services.
For almost four years, the Eddy House has given overnight sheltering to at-risk and homeless youth aged from 18 to 24, with the goal of getting them back on their feet.
For the first time, the shelter is having issues with housing them.
"We've not turned anybody away," Macaluso said. "We've made do, but what that does is create a need of additional resources for us to keep operating and serving youth at the capacity they deserve to be served."
The Eddy House bought the building next door, so they will be able to open up more housing, but it won't be available for a few months.
"As we've seen over the last three years, we've known that we've needed to expand as well and so we are working on what that housing looks like," Macaluso said.
Until then, the organization said they need more resources to help with the influx.
"It drives need for extra food, and it's more showers of providing," Macaluso said. "More clothing and hygiene items that we need."
However, despite the challenges, the organization said their clients have been understanding.
"They all recognize that there's not another dedicated youth shelter for them to go," Macaluso said. "While we're making referrals to other agencies in town that can help us with this capacity issue, they're all banding together and making do."
With the increase of need for services jumping up 40 percent just from last year, the organization says the work they do is a great service to the community.
"You know these young folks are the future of our community and if we're able to get them great careers and get them housed, then their back in society and will be able to give back to all of us as a thriving community," Macaluso said.
The shelter is asking for help from the community through donations so they can meet the need for more resources.
You can donate to the organization in the link below.
