Milford Homeless Shelter 'Desperate' For Volunteers

MILFORD, MA — A cold-weather homeless shelter in Milford is in "desperate" need of volunteers with snow and freezing temperatures on the horizon.

The Pathway to a Better Life shelter at St. Mary's Church opens when temperatures drop below 20 degrees. The shelter needs a certain number of volunteers to help during overnight hours.

"Homeless rates are raising and Pathway to a Better Life is opening our doors this winter to help those in need stay warm for the night," the shelter said in a social media post Saturday. "Our doors will be open 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. when temperatures drop to 20 degrees and below. We are looking for volunteers to share the night by volunteering 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. and 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. or stay the whole time."

Shelter organizer Lisa Trusas has said that finding volunteers can be tough — not only because of the difficult overnight hours, but because of concerns about coronavirus. The shelter accepts families, single people and people who may be either experiencing coronavirus symptoms or who have tested positive. Anyone with coronavirus remains isolated in the shelter, however.

The shelter will host two training sessions this month: Dec. 12 at 1 p.m., and Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's.

Trainings are Sunday, December 12th at 1pm or Sunday, December 19th at 1pm at St.Mary’s Church. Call Trusas at (508) 922-9032 or email her at pathwaytoabetterlife2019@gmail.com for details.