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ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) – As the holidays approach, leaders at the Switchpoint Community Resource Center in St. George, the only homeless shelter in Washington County, are asking for help as they continue to operate at full capacity.
Joni Drake is homeless. She lived in her car for years, but says she couldn’t afford rent on disability.
“I rolled my car, I lost my dog, I lost everything I owned, I lost the car, but what I got out of it was Switchpoint”, explains Drake.
She lives in Switchpoint, but not for very long, Drake says she finally finds a place she can afford with help from the shelter.
“It gave me an address, with an address that you can do just about anything you want to do, it provided me with a bed every night, it provided me with food, it gave me provided people to talk to each week, about the way things are going, â€she says.
“We were full before Thanksgiving and we have seen a marked increase since the temperatures drop,†says Kristen Clark, director of operations at Switchpoint.
Clark says they need supplies because they are running at full capacity and have to turn some people away.
“Things like sleeping bags, warm winter coats for men, women and children, socks, gloves, hats, anything that keeps people warm when they can’t. get into a shelter, â€says Clark.
Clark says monetary donations are important because they have limited storage and multiple volunteers are needed.
“We are not looking for handouts, we are looking for raised hands. Stop looking at us like we’re a disease, we’re not a disease, we’re human, you know, say ‘Merry Christmas’ to us, â€Drake says.
For more information on how you can help while on vacation, click here.
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