Shelter Overcrowding Leaves Many On The Cold Streets

INDIO – Steven Laufer is happy to have a roof over his head. He’s one of 25 who spent the night Tuesday night at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM). Laufer says, “You’re up against the cold weather, you can get pneumonia, you can get sick or even worse.”

The Mission is only allowed to provide beds for 25 of the homeless. Tuesday night 12 are turned away and forced to fend for themselves on a very cold night. The CVRM says they would like to provide shelter for more. After church services each night, with the help of workers, the chapel transforms into overnight shelter.

The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission has a solution. It is planning on building a new35,000 square foot shelter on a piece of property right next door.The new building will solve the overcrowding problem by providing warm shelter for dozens of more homeless. In the end it willcost $12 million. So far the Mission has raise$6 million. It has$3.6million more to go in order to break ground.

Right now the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission says they monetary donations but more importantly it needs used warm clothing, including jackets, sweatshirts, gloves, socks and beanies.

To contact the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission CLICK HERE. (www.cvrm.org)