Lighthouse for Broken Wings stepping forward

It’s hard to believe that this late in the season, arrangements to utilize the Troop 7 building for a Code Purple shelter have not been accomplished.

Immanuel Code Purple, Sussex County’s first Code Purple Shelter, has traditionally opened on or around Dec. 1 each year.  Last year Immanuel opened utilizing motel rooms Dec. 15. Troop 7 opened sometime in late January. One can only wonder why Troop 7 is not already approved to open given that homelessness is constant, winter always arrives on time and shelter is always needed. 

Last year Immanuel Shelter housed 81 homeless guests, using up to 20 motel rooms, and was managed by Ms. Toni Short, Immanuel’s then manager and president of Lighthouse for Broken Wings, our area’s transitional nonprofit. This year Ms. Short will open A Sheltering Heart under  Lighthouse for Broken Wings and will pick up the mantle, opening a Code Purple shelter housing men, women and children.

The use of motel rooms last year which was openly disapproved of by the Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches resulted in Immanuel having their promised  funding cut, with those funds redistributed to Code Purple Sussex County at Troop 7 instead. This occurred despite 11 years of a proven relationship between LRAC and Immanuel.  One would wonder if political forces helped to motivate defunding of Immanuel Shelter, or even this year’s unpreparedness for any approved sheltering arrangement in the Lewes/Rehoboth area.

Oddly, the experiment of motel rooms proved to be safe, efficient and a cost-effective way to help the homeless while providing an opportunity for respite and community building among those participating. 

In addition, during COVID, motel rooms allowed for separate space, consistency in the population, and isolation as needed depending upon an individual’s health and community restrictions. Motel rooms were hugely successful in meeting the needs of the homeless and solving the concern over COVID as guests had individual rooms, could stay in or work during the day as needed, care for their children and basically know where they would be sleeping each night. 

The idea of having a Code Purple with multiple individuals sleeping, eating and bathing in the same large space (Troop 7) seems counter to any safe distancing practices or limitations on group gatherings. 

Given COVID, and the need for infection control, social distancing and other CDC recommendations it would seem that the use of motel rooms would be the preferred method of sheltering this season! 

Careful planning and knowledge of our homeless community has resulted in Ms. Short securing  motel rooms early last spring for this winter, anticipating COVID,  increased numbers of homeless and weather concerns. In addition, hot meals will be provided, masks, sanitizer and screenings completed. Shelter and food are two of the basic needs for sustaining life.

In the case of A Sheltering Heart and the work Ms. Short does, love is added to the equation; love which provides a depth of support not usually afforded to this population.

While Immanuel works on a permanent solution to homelessness in our community, it would seem essential to provide support to an organization and individual who knows the community, has been a tireless advocate for the homeless and is herself a nurse, clearly understanding infection control and COVID restrictions.

To that end, Code Purple contributions coming to  Immanuel this year will be going to Lighthouse for Broken Wings a 501(c)3 (A Sheltering Heart) in an effort to help them reach their financial needs. 

Those wanting to help can send contributions to Lighthouse for Broken Wings - write  A Sheltering Heart in the memo. Address 179 Rehoboth Ave. #123, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.