The Shepherd Place hopes to avoid closing after 34 years of shelter operation

DOVER, Del. – The Shepherd Place has been a pillar of the Dover community for decades, serving homeless women, children, and families. But for the first time ever, it’s in danger of having to close its doors.

“We’re trying to bring awareness so that people know that we need funding. We’re at the brink of the end of the funding that we have, and we’re looking to close the doors on January 2025,” said Executive Director Tasha Scott.

While the shelter was trying to raise funds Saturday, it was also trying to cast a wider net to secure different sources of funding after COVID-19 grants dried up. “We don’t get many, but we do get some grants. So again, that’s why we’re raising awareness, just in case there are some pots or some things that we might not be aware of, for people to reach out to us and let us know some other resources,” Scott said.

Lareka Marshall, a former resident, has seen the shelter struggling and it hits close to home. She’s been helping to organize and spread the word. “Just knowing that they need funding to be able to keep the doors open. That’s what brought me here today. Like, I just can’t just see a place that me and my three children once lived close. I don’t want that. So I just wanted to pound the pavement to do my part as much as I could,” Marshall said.

As The Shepherd Place approaches uncharted territory, Scott hopes the shelter can continue to provide a home for those that need it most: “Not only have we been here for 34 years, but yearly we service anywhere from 150 to 160 people. So if we were to close our doors, where would those people go? The weather is changing, the season is changing. It’s getting cold.”

Scott said The Shepherd Place’s operating budget is is between $400,000 and $500,000 per year.