New daytime respite room at shelter

SALISBURY, Md.- Friday was an emotional day for some in Salisbury as the Christian Shelter unveiled its new respite room, something that will give families in need a sense of home.

“We want this shelter to be home away from home, until they find a home,” Anthony Dickerson, Director of the Christian Shelter, said.

“When they come in they have their quiet time and they can sit and read to their children, you know get down on the floor with them that’s the excitement that this room is going to bring,” Mary William, an administrator at the Christian Shelter, said.

Williams came up with the idea for the respite room after seeing how many families were coming in and out of the shelter.

“When the families come in many of them, especially the women, are broken,” Williams said. “Sometimes they think they don’t have any hope, but in here they can, that they do have hope.”

47ABC was told homeless shelters, like the Christian Shelter, have started seeing more and more families over the years.

“It used to be individuals with mental health and substance abuse, now we’re beginning to see families and I think the reason why is because families can’t really afford the rent here,” Dickerson said.

That’s why 47ABC was told rooms like this one are so needed.

So while the Christian Shelter continues to see more children and families coming through their doors, they are grateful to now be able to give them a better stepping stone for their future .

“By having that experience here they will have a toolkit leaving here, and they’ll do the same thing in their own home,” Dickerson said.

47ABC was told there are approximately 13 families at the Christian Shelter right now.

The shelter does not get any governmental funds.

They were able to build this new room thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.