… And here she was, sitting at the backseat of the police car, trying to squeeze into the warm cushion and pull her elbows closer to her sides still shaking with her whole body. Her coat still soaking wet and face slightly numb from altogether rain, tears the cold wind kept the memory of the naked leafless branch amazingly sharp and clear in her mind… The repeating psychedelic song was gone, it was replaced by a warm feeling of safety. Her eyes were mindlessly following the drops of water running down the window shield, back-grounded by smeared street lights reflections and red stop lights of the cars passing by… Warm, quiet and smelled like pine car air freshener — that’s how hope smells, she thought… 🙂

After getting immediate help in a case of emergency we need to think about moving on and getting our life back on track. First of course we need to make sure we’ve got basic needs satisfied and necessities taken care of. Those would be food, housing, personal hygiene and clothes. I would also include a phone, since it’s hard to imagine our life without being connected, but this one will follow later. Usually after a short term stay and care you are transferred into the temporary shelter which will be your home for the next couple of weeks until you find some proper job and housing and will be able to pay your bills. below I’ve gathered some information about the available shelters and free on-site meals in Twin Ports. Please notice that most of them have some simple but obligatory rules you need to follow, like having an ID, staying sober and being ready to follow their schedule, have a background check performed, etc.

SAFE HOMELESS SHELTERS

1) CHUM
125 N 1st Ave West
Duluth, MN
Phone: (218) 726-0153
Fax: (218) 722-6042

CHUM — supporting friends from crisis to stability. Families and individuals walk through CHUM’s doors in the midst of crisis.They maybe homeless, lack food, need medical attention,suffer from addictions or mental illness or be without income. They often struggle in isolation, afraid and alone. CHUM is the community’s hand of support, held out to those experiencing despair. CHUM provides shelter, food, medical care and direction to those struggling to survive. Most importantly, it provides affirmation and hope.And on this foundation, through these services that help individuals and families to survive, clients build relationship that will sustain them as they build more stable life. CHUM’s programs work together with the goal of uplifting people to stand on their own and no longer need assistance. Stabilization Services focus on housing assistance, employment, or income assistance, health care and case management trough the CHUM Center. Distributive Services include Duluth’s Emergency Food Shelf and a household supplies program, providing items ranging from household goods to children’s backpacks. Outreach Services target both their member congregations and the community as a whole, educating people about the needs of — and advocating on behalf of — our neighbors. Through outreach, they offer CHUM Church and other inclusive ministries, plus emergency financial assistance when unique or emergency needs arise. please visit www.chumduluth.org for more information about CHUM!

2) Loaves And Fishes
1712 Jefferson St (Single Men)
Phone: (218) 724-2054
1614 Jefferson St (Families and Couples)
Duluth, MN
Phone: (218) 728-0629

3) Solid Rock
1004 N 6th St (Men Only)
Superior, WI
Phone: (715) 392-6264

A homeless shelter for adult men that assists them in becoming self sufficient through finding suitable employment and a permanent residence.  The shelter provides 3 meals per day, bed, laundry, phone and clothing for residents. Also you can get directions and help getting a new job and referrals for the employer if needed. Check in for men needing shelter is from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. Background check will be performed. Closed to the public Sundays.

4) Harbor House Crisis Shelters
(Single Women or Parents with Children)
Superior, WI
Phone: (715) 394-9608, (715) 392-4157

Harbor House Crisis Shelters have a proud mission to provide hospitable shelter, transitional living and services for homeless and to assist the guests in attaining housing. Emergency Shelter provides 30 days of shelter for homeless women and families. The shelter is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year providing daily needs such as clothing, bedding, hygiene products, food, diapers and cleaning supplies. Case Management incorporates coaching, life skill enhancement, goal setting, assessments, referrals, and community resources on a bi-weekly basis. Transitional Living Center is supportive housing assistance for homeless families and single women. All residents participate in weekly case management and monthly resident meetings. SAMaritan Fund is administered by HHCS an emergency assistance fund on behalf of the Superior Area Ministerium. This project assists persons that qualify, with information and referral, and/or emergency assistance. For more information, please visit www.harborhousecs.org

FREE FRESH HOT MEALS

1) Damiano Center
206 W 4th St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 726-0500
Breakfast: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat&Sun 8:30-9:30 am
Lunch: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat&Sun 11:30-1:00 pm
Dinner: Sat&Sun 5:00-5:45 pm

2) Union Gospel Mission
219 E 1st St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 722-1196
Breakfast: Mon-Thurs 7:30-8:15 am
Lunch: Mon-Thurs 12:00-12:45 pm
Dinner: Mon-Fri 5:15-6:00 pm
Dinner: Sat&Sun 5:00-5:45 pm

In 1922 when 22 area churches came together to help the needy, there was one goal – to provide food, shelter and hope. Though there have been many changes in the Mission since then, the main goal hasn’t changed. There has always been a need for places like the Mission and I imagine there always will be. Here at the Mission they serve about 70,000+ nourishing meals yearly. Most of the people who come here can’t afford to buy groceries so they rely on the Mission to satisfy their hunger. The Mission also provides 1000 hygiene kits and 2000 food baskets yearly. What many take for granted, these people usually have to do without because of financial hardships. During the long, cold winter months the Mission provides blankets, hats&mittens, and boots to keep people warm, including children. The Mission has special ministries for their guests, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Overcomers. Through these wonderful programs many people have learned to break their addictions and get their lives changed around for the better. In addition to these programs they have a mental health resource person on staff. At the Mission Christmas party they serve about 200 children and their families. They also show movies with fresh popcorn once a week so their guests can have fellowship together. To learn more visit www.duluth-ugm.org

3) CHUM
125 N 1st Ave
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 726-0153
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 am

4) The Salvation Army
215 S 27th Ave W
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 722-7934
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30-12:30 pm

5) Solid Rock
1004 N 6th St
Superior WI
Phone: (715) 392-6264
Lunch: Mon-Fri 12:00 noon
Dinner: Mon-Fri 5:00 pm
Dinner: Sat 4-5 pm

I’m more than certain that with help of these amazingly useful organization you are guaranteed to get a good start for getting your life back on track no matter what your reasons of crisis were! It’s so important to know that somewhere out there you can count on people who WANT to help and WILL ACTUALLY help, not only with standard words of uninvolved wishes of a good luck but provide real assistance where and when needed! So remember, you’re not isolated and you are not alone — don’t flatter yourself, people are getting in trouble everywhere daily, so your case is not that bad that it can’t be fixed and helped! 🙂 And of course you shouldn’t forget your experience and gratitude — please donate to the charities when you will be better off, be a part of a  good cause, provide that helpful supportive hand for the needy, OK ? 🙂