Love INC in search of more overnight volunteers
SUSSEX CO., Del. – Love INC is looking for overnight volunteers to assist with their operations.
“I am an overnight volunteer, so I oversee the neighbors when they stay overnight, just to make sure they’re safe and that things are going the way they should be,” said Lexie Horsey, a volunteer with Love INC.
In order to meet demand, Love INC will need to see more people like Horsey donate their time and talents.
“I feel that it’s more rewarding just because I can be a help to keep them out of the cold,” she said.
Love INC’s Code Purple program provides an overnight shelter for those looking to get out of the cold.
It can house approximately 14 guests at each of its 8 locations in Sussex County.
“The overnight volunteer position is what determines whether we can open a particular shelter,” said Love INC’s Giovanni Otero. “We have two in Seaford, two in Milford, one in Georgetown, one in Lewes, one in Rehoboth and then one in Bethany Beach.”
The overnight shelter provides visitors with food, a place to shower, a place to do laundry as well as a space for mentoring.
Otero said in addition to monetary donations, filling the required two overnight volunteers each night is something they need help with the most.
“What we want to do is build a team for each location so that each volunteer would only have to give one or two nights a month,” said Otero.
In addition to serving as an overnight shelter, Love INC has been able to open some of its locations as a warming shelter during the day where they have seen one to two dozen guests use it.
Otero said it’s important given the rise in homelessness.
“We’ve seen homelessness to be an issue that’s growing year over year. The count actually says somewhere around for Delaware state to be about a 9% increase from last year,” he said.
With shelters in demand, the Love INC team says the communities help will allow them to stay open as much as possible.
If you’re interested in volunteering or are in need of shelter, log on to lovedelmarva.org. You can also get information by calling 302-629-7050.
