Shelter impact on the recent homeless camp removal in Luzerne County

WILKES-BARRE LUZERNE COUNTY— One of the agencies tells 28/22 News it was prepared to take in any of the homeless looking for shelter after being displaced from Kirby Park.

28/22 News reporter Gianna Galli joins us live in Wilkes-Barre now with how Ruth’s Place has prepared, and ways the community can help out too.

Even at full capacity, this shelter says it was ready to make space for anyone who didn’t have have a place to live after today’s park clear out.

Now they say, they’re looking for help from the community.

Some rooms inside Ruth’s Place in Wilkes-Barre looked a little different Thursday. The Volunteers of America Emergency Homeless Shelter adding cots for an influx of residents.

“We want them to be able to go somewhere where they have a roof over their heads,” said Gabrielle Frigano, Program Manager at Ruth’s Place.

Frigano heard of the homeless camp cleanout that took place at Kirby Park earlier in the day and says the shelter, the only one in Luzerne County just for women, immediately prepared to take-in people even at full capacity with 25 beds.

“We are already packed as it is. We provide them with clothing to change into, a shower, laundry services, some food” commented Frigano.

The cleanout at the park left more than 30 people without a home.

Brigg keifer, whose been homeless for years, wasn’t one of those living at the park, but knew of what was going on there.

“Enough is enough. It ain’t gonna end. You can’t stay here forever. You got to get on do something. You know what I mean it’s a park,” explained Keifer.

Frigano added when an encampment cleanout happens. It could become a lot for shelters to suddenly take on.

“The increased need and utilization really puts pressure on the shelters so the community really helps out with donations. Paper towels, toilet paper, all personal hygiene products we are running very low on those items,” noted Frigano.

Open 24/7, the facility is always trying to prepare for moments like this one. Frigano says it’s help from people in the community that really makes a difference.

“If you support the people in your community who need it the most, then it benefits the community as a whole. That’s why it’s important to provide these services,” commented Frigano.

Ruth’s Place is the only emergency shelter for single women in Luzerne County. Frigano says they can stay for 45 days at the shelter.

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