Lansing — Walk through the doors of the New Hope Day Center and you will hear plenty of conversations and some laughter, as well as feel warmth.
On a day when the weather is just a few degrees above zero, anywhere with heat is comforting — something the clients of New Hope are looking for.
Since 1994, the center, 430 N. Larch St. in Lansing, has opened its doors to the area's homeless, but if New Hope doesn't raise $120,000 by the end of the month, those doors could close.
"We have about 40 percent less money," said Patrick Patterson, vice president of operations for Volunteers of America, which oversees the shelter.
The center experienced a decrease in funding when Michigan passed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Patterson said. A provision of the bill cut back on how much people could deduct from donating cars to charitable organizations.
In the past, many people would donate their cars to the center, providing a steady source of income.
"This is a terrible policy for Michigan, because we're so auto dependent," he said."
The center requires about $1,000 a day to serve approximately 125 people. New Hope can see up to 180 people on a cold day, such as the ones Lansing has recently experienced.
"New Hope is funded till the end of February," said Kate Reed, development coordinator for the center. "We rely solely on what we can fund raise, some grants, some from the city and private donations."
In 2005, when the center was short on funding, members were able to raise $99,000 in private donations. The center typically has a yearly budget of $360,000, Reed said.
The center provides a host of services for clients including GED classes, substance abuse counseling, housing assistance and help from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA.
"The VA is here a couple of times a week," Reed said. "One-in-three homeless men is a veteran."
New Hope also coordinates with Ingham County and Lansing to find permanent housing for the homeless.
Partnering with eight other shelters, New Hope has a 30-day limit for people who seek shelter, however exceptions do occur, Reed said.
Connected to New Hope is an emergency shelter homeless veterans with a lounge, kitchen, exercise equipment and computer lab for clients taking classes. Veteran are required to pay $150 a month to utilize this area of the shelter. When dorms are full, extra beds are brought in, Patterson said.
"Medical emergencies can happen," Reed said. "People who come here are in bad health. We've had two people come in with frostbite this week."
The center mainly accommodates men, but also provides for women and children.
New Hope has had to cut back on fundraising and administrative staff, Patterson said.
"Some long-term funding would be helpful but we can count on folks who have put up money," he said.
