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Our homeless citizens are urged to take this storm seriously and are given everything they need to stay safe and reasonably comfortable.
VERO BEACH, FL – 29 August 2006 – Tropical Storm Ernesto may seem like a minor threat to most of us, but it is a serious concern for our homeless friends. Many are living in wooded areas across the county. Some are sleeping under the open sky. Flying debris and falling trees represent a significant danger during the heavy winds which accompany even a tropical storm.
Announcements began when The Source opened for breakfast at 9:00AM. Those sleeping in tents or in other substandard structures were urged to seek more suitable shelter. Locations of the local emergency shelters were posted along with maps and walking directions. Special needs clients were guided to the appropriate facility. Transportation was provided to those who needed assistance. Some of our homeless have lost or stolen ID cards and were troubled because the shelters require them. We printed letters for them to serve as positive identification. Care packages were distributed with enough food to last two days. Clothing and personal hygiene items were also provided as needed.
The weather channel was tuned in all day to keep our guests informed. Throughout the afternoon we accessed current information releases from the Indian River County Department of Emergency Services. We posted and announced all the relevant news for our clients. We made sure that they were aware of the anticipated peak storm hours and where to turn if they needed help.
As much of the county breathed a sigh of relief today, The Source was in full-swing, preparing our most vulnerable neighbors to weather the storm.
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