WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Amid the extremely cold weather, a Wilson County shelter is at capacity. Now the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA) is taking in those who were turned away.
With temperatures below freezing across Middle Tennessee, shelters like Compassionate Hands in Wilson County are seeing an influx of homeless people.
“As Wilson County has grown, we have just seen that uptick in that increased need,” said Regina Girten with Volunteer Network.
Compassionate Hands has reached capacity. As a result, some people were turned away and redirected to WEMA on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
“It hasn’t been that long since we opened the first one, so obviously the need is there. It’s going to continue growing until something is done about it,” Maegan Eldridge, public information officer with WEMA, said.
This is the first year that WEMA has opened an overflow shelter during extreme winter weather at the Wilson County Fairgrounds.
“They have set up a really amazing shelter site,” said Girten.
At this point, WEMA can take up to 25 people. Those individuals are able to bring their pets, take a hot shower, and watch TV at the facility.
“It’s people who have lived here their entire lives and, with the rise in costs of living, are not able to sustain,” Girten said.
Jamie Tyner said one of the many things Volunteer Network does is partner with WEMA during disasters or inclement weather. However, the organization needs more volunteers.
“The trickier spot that is a little harder to fill is the overnight spot, so we have an opportunity for people to come in at 10 o’clock and stay overnight with the guests,” said Tyner.
As the homeless population continues to grow, Volunteer Network is also looking to increase its number of volunteers.
“Nashville has experienced this exact same thing in their increase in unhoused population, so we’re no different from that. As our community grows, those needs grow, and it’s not just folks that are chronically homeless,” Girten said.
The WEMA warming shelter will remain open until the morning of Saturday, Feb. 22. WEMA is providing transportation.
If you’re interested in volunteering this week or in the future, follow this link, call 615-212-5326 or email [email protected].
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