Homeless Shelter Loses Support During Cold Snap
GREEN BAY--Victoria Stone's search for salvation is over. At least for the night.
"To have a warm place to stay, and not have to worry about going out is a lot less stress on us," Stone said.
The bone-chilling temperatures couldn't come at a worse time for St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter. They're overflowing with guests, and city leaders are fining them more than $600 each night they go over their permit capacity.
"If somebody shows up at our door, we are not going to turn them out in these types of weather conditions," shelter executive director Alexia Wood said.
Wood says they've been averaging about 84 guests a night, even though their permit capacity is 64.
In an effort to work with the city, the shelter was busing guests to St. Norbert College in De Pere, but that partnership ended when students came back from winter break.
"The fact that St. Norbert College ended today and the severe low temperatures and the wind chill, we are going to see an increase in demand tonight. We are going to see our numbers up tonight and probably tomorrow night," Wood said.
Assistant City Attorney Jim Mueller sent us a statement about the shelter's overflow that reads, "As long as St. John's continues to work in good faith toward compliance of the permit, the city's intent is to not issue additional citations at this time."
"I think we're all very lucky that this place is open. That it opens its doors to all of us," Stone said.
Shelter leaders are meeting with the city planning commission next month to try and raise their permit capacity to 84. Meanwhile, a court hearing concerning the shelter's fines is also set for next month.






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