Homeless Find Warm Refuge During Brutal Snowstorm

RIVERHEAD, NY — Brutally cold temperatures and fierce gusts of wind signal a snow day for many and a time to stay off the roads. But for the homeless, Thursday's blizzard conditions can mean a treacherous life or death situation.

Maryann Gensler, executive director of the Maureen's Haven Homeless Outreach in Riverhead — the program works with houses of worship and scores of dedicated volunteers across the East End during the winter months to provide the homeless with a warm place to sleep, dinner, a bag lunch, and invaluable companionship and memories — said the program's homeless guests were kept safe and sheltered Thursday by one church that offered them a place to ride out the storm.

"The indomitable Faith Finne is standing strong at Southold Presbyterian Church with 30 guests," Gensler said.

The guests, Finne said, had planned to stay overnight Wednesday per their normal schedule, but with the storm coming, the decision was made to keep them for the entire day.

Finne, the only volunteer at the church, said the homeless were enjoying spending the day out of the elements.

"I've been here with them all night by myself, and everything is going really well; it's been great. Everyone is doing very well," she said.

The homeless guests were watching movies, sitting in the kitchen and chatting with her, helping her to fold clothes and eating the bagged lunches that had already been prepared for the day, Finne said.

Keeping them safe and out of the storm was a critical concern, she said.

"It's very cold outside. We can't allow them to go outside. We don't want them to get frostbite, or freeze, or fall," she said.

The guests are expected to head off to their next church Thursday, she said.

For Finne, who's been a Maureen's Haven volunteer for almost 8 years, there's no place she'd rather be during the fiercest of storms.

"I love doing this," she said.

Photo courtesy Maureen's Haven.