Charlotte Behavioral Health Care has provided services for10,269 individuals over 2013*. With (82%)* reporting an annual salary of less than $15K per year, with the poverty level for 2012 set at $23,050 (total yearly income) for a family of four with mental illness one of the leading causes of homelessness: we have larger numbers of people in need of Proper shelter and housing in Charlotte county.
I woke up this morning at 5 o’clock, I saw a hazy chill glare in the window as I looked to see if the newspaper was in the driveway. What I found was thick fog with no more than 25 to 50 yards, about a half a football field length, visibility. I knew then, we were in for some bizarre and cold weather within the next 24 hours to 48 hours.
My first thought went to my peers that are homeless! As you know, mental illness devastates families and homes. Combining mental illness with substance abuse, sadly homelessness can be mixed in infrequently or sometimes for long periods of time.
On page 1 of Charlotte Sun Herald, staff writer Ian Ross writes: COLD SNAP COMING – Homeless, agriculture among potential concerns.
Charlotte County emergency manager-director Wayne Sallade refers to this week’s temperature snap as being the worst we’ve had in four years. The national weather service predicts temperatures and Charlotte County to dip below 30° Tuesday night… That is below freezing. I wonder if it rains, could we “possibly” see snowflakes here in Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda? My kids would love that!
The county is making arrangements to open up homeless cold shelters and should post information on their website – – – by 2 o’clock Monday afternoon.
If you have friends, or know of peers, that are homeless who may be in need of extra blankets or winter coats, now would be the time to give them some. If you have transportation, maybe you can help them get to a cold shelter.
I emailed Mr Wayne Sallade, 10 a.m. and just got a reply at at 11:20 a.m… THANK YOU for getting back to me so quickly Mr Wayne Sallade!!!
Mr. Sallade said, about the Cold Shelters:
“All three facilities you referenced,”
Salvation Army2120 Loveland Blvd, Port Charlotte
Capacity of 50 people. Residents needing shelter can expect the shelter to provide a warm place to sleep for the night and limited nutrition. St David’s Episcopal Church
401 South Broadway, Englewood
Residents needing shelter can expect the shelter to provide a warm place to sleep for the night and limited nutrition. Charlotte County Homeless Coalition
1476 Kenesaw St, Port Charlotte
Thirty spots are available. Residents needing shelter can expect the shelter to provide a warm place to sleep for the night and limited nutrition.
“plus the New Hope Community Church in North Port (5600 S. Biscayne) will open both tonight and tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. Our press release is being finalized now and will be out shortly. Please spread the word, as during many past events, we have closed the doors at 11:00 p.m. and no one had arrived. We won’t keep volunteers away from their homes if no one bothers to come in to the shelters.
http://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/news/Pages/default.aspx
Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management, 941-833-4000, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m; Charlotte County American Red Cross, 941-629-4345, 24 hours; Salvation Army, 941-629-3170, ext 402, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Reference: *2012-2013 Charlotte Behavioral Health Care Annual Report Pg#1,Pg.#3