Yes, it's not a frequently acknowledged fact, but even in rural Pennsylvania we have a homeless problem. In 2007, a few local churches got together to address the issue and formed ARK HOUSE, which ran last year Jan--almost April. It rotated at 5 different churches, taking turns hosting overnight visitors. In 2007 the ARK HOUSE group tried to open a permanent shelter in downtown Pottsville, but the City objected. They had several places they could have located, but the city would not give its blessing. Despite what some may think, we do have a homeless issue here (granted not as big as in the cities, but it still exists). A plea for help was printed in our local paper, the Pottsville Republican:

To the Editor:

A few months ago, letters were written to this newspaper concerning the Ark House Homeless Shelter in Pottsville. After that time, much interest was shown in support of our effort.

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The Ark House supporters are now in a crisis situation of their own. The shelter has been in operation since Nov. 18, with the help of a handful of dedicated volunteers at local churches, namely United Presbyterian (five weeks in November/December and St. Joseph’s (one week in December.)

The Salvation Army is scheduled for two weeks in January and United Methodist is scheduled for two weeks at the end of January/beginning of February. To date, no one has stepped up to help from Feb. 10 and beyond.

Every night except two since Nov. 18, the shelter was needed by from one to six men and women, some waiting for housing approval, some passing through town with limited funds, some temporarily or permanently displaced for many unexplained reasons.One man actually was released from a local hospital at 9 p.m. with no way to get to his hometown until morning.

Ironically, several of our guests have been to local agencies for help and told the agency funding is limited and then referred to the shelter — the same shelter that the City of Pottsville has said we are not allowed to open.

By the way, our appeal to open our permanent shelter is currently “in the system” of court proceedings, which could take well into the spring.

Our crisis situation now is that our volunteers are few, support of local churches is almost non-existent (with a few exceptions) and donations and funding are diffficult, if not impossible, to receive until a permanent location is opened.

The building that has been donated to us cannot be used until zoning issues are resolved (re: appeal process). In the meantime, we must maintain the building, pay laundry bills for blankets being used and provide snacks and supplies to those we are serving. I remind you, we receive no funding from anyone and are surviving on donations alone.

We have also lost our prime supporter and founder of the Ark House effort. The Rev. Susan Reichenberg is leaving the area to serve a church in Ohio. We need others to keep this effort going. If not, who is going to take care of these “lost” people who seem to have fallen through the cracks?

If Pottsville, as the county seat, is going to continue to accommodate Section 8 housing, low-income complexes, receive state and federal funding and offer low-income services, the city will continue having people “on the streets” playing a waiting game with local agencies. You may find them sleeping on your front porch some night.

We need the help of the entire community to take on this effort. Talk to your minister, your local officials, your friends and neighbors, your community groups. Our meetings are at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at 510 Mahantongo St. or United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St.

Donations may be sent to: Ark House Crisis Housing, P.O. Box 122, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Ellen Hildreth

Ark House

Crisis Shelter

Representative