A light in the dark: Sterling’s homeless shelter seeking community support

STERLING — The Twin Cities Homeless Shelter in Sterling, known as PADS, is asking the community for help following the city’s recent ordinance banning public camping.

The ordinance, which was unanimously approved by the Sterling City Council on Dec. 2, bans public camping, including setting up campsites, tents and bedding or sleeping in vehicles on public property, such as sidewalks, streets, parks and city-owned land. Sleeping in a vehicle overnight is prohibited, with violations occurring if a vehicle is parked for more than two hours between midnight and 6 a.m. without city permission.

While city officials have said the ordinance is meant as a tool to help deal with the increasing number of complaints from businesses, public facilities and residents regarding homeless individuals breaking the law or harassing people, PADS Director Myles Newberry said the ordinance has negatively impacted the shelter.

“Sterling’s public camping ban has left many in our community without anywhere to turn since we don’t have the financial resources to remain open during the day,” Newberry said. “We’re doing everything we can to provide safety and support, but we need the community’s help to continue making a difference. Over 90% of our residents are local to this area, so these people are our friends and neighbors who fell on tough times.”

PADS can house up to 32 individuals per night. Newberry said before the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility averaged six guests per night. Now, the shelter averages nearly 30 individuals each night with the need for services expected to rise as temperatures continue to drop and the city’s ordinance has left many with nowhere to go.

PADS runs on private donations and grants. However, the shelter has lost many of the grants that were available during the pandemic and is now asking the community for financial donations, volunteers and essential goods, including winter clothing, hygiene products and non-perishable food items.

“I need help getting people out in the public thinking about us,” Newberry said. “In the past, we always had a surplus of the things we need. But now, I’m running out of stuff I never thought we’d run out of.”

The shelter depends on four paid employees and a mix of volunteers. However, Newberry said the shelter recently lost one of its full-time employees, and his volunteer base has been declining over the years. Ideally, he said, the shelter needs another eight people helping full time: two caseworkers and six staffers to oversee the facility around the clock.

One of the main issues the shelter and the city said they are dealing with is mental health and substance abuse issues among those experiencing homelessness. There are several services and programs homeless people can use from organizations throughout Sterling, including Lutheran Social Services, the Sterling YWCA, the Tri-County Opportunities Council and others.

While many in the community have remained divided in their opinion on the city’s ordinance, Newberry urges everyone to help.

“The shelter is truly a community effort and it will only be as successful as the community wants to make it,” Newberry said.

For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit twincitiespads.org or call 815-626-2210.