On Dec. 30, a reader responded to the plight of the scarcity of shelters for homeless women in Sussex County. St. Jude the Apostle Church has opened its doors to 14 homeless men, but decided to not make any accommodations for homeless women.
In responding to the reader’s concern, the Rev. Brian Lewis of St. Jude the Apostle Church wondered if the reader had reached out to her own faith community to collaborate with Code Purple. However, the Rev. Lewis never did answer the question why his shelter was not opened to women.
Perhaps the Rev. Lewis, as well as others, does not realize that oftentimes, some homeless women have placed themselves in unsafe and unsavory conditions, including trading sex for a place to shelter for a night.
I believe the initial letter was an attempt to shed light on the reality that homelessness affects both men and women, and providing resources that are inclusive should be the goal.
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