Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 39th Year • Issue No. 7 • February 17, 2022 "GOD BLESS AMERICA" TWO TWO BIG BIG DAYS! DAYS! Ora Ora SUPER SUPERMARKET MARKET & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS ONLY ONLY $ 6 99 99 each each 1026 EAST MARION ST., SHELBY, NC WE ACCEPT EBT, SNAP, FOOD STAMPS, DEBIT 704-487-4377 WWW.ORASUPERMARKET.COM Like Us On Facebook! BACON WRAPPED FILETS BACON WRAPPED FILETS FRIDAY • FEB. 25 FRIDAY • FEB. 25 TH TH & SATURDAY • FEB. 26 & SATURDAY • FEB. 26 TH TH HRS: 8AM-6PM MON-.SAT. Our 79 Our 79 th th Year! Year! By JOCELYN CHRISTENBURY Many Cleveland County residents may have noticed a seemingly increase in the popu- lation of homeless men in and around Uptown Shelby over the last couple of years. Gary Leigh, Executive Director of Trailhead Resources noticed back in 2019 and sought to do something about it. During the winter of 2020- 2021, Trailhead Resources teamed with another organi- zation to open and operate a night shelter (7 pm – 7 am with "to go" meals) for home- less men. But as the current winter approached, it became evident that option of partner- ship wouldn't be viable for men this winter. "It was really a last-minute realization, but our community jumped into action," said Gary. By mid-November, a facility had been secured through a part- nership with White Investments that allows them to pay a mini- mal monthly rent. "Washington Outreach Min- istries in Waco is stepping up to help us with some food needs. There are several medical and mental health professionals that assist us with care and the securing and administering of proper medications to the men who join us." Gary continued. Even all of that isn't going to be enough to keep the shelter open through the spring. Gary stated, "We have the same bills as everyone else; power, trash, and though our volunteers are carrying us right now, we would love to be able to pay our selfless overnight staff." As low temperatures hovered in the 30s for several weeks, one might wonder what some- one would do if they were stuck living in the harsh elements. "This isn't just a cold weather problem, though. I'd really like my community to recognize the great need, and opportunity here to extend love to others." Homeless men in Cleveland County have been displaced since the change of manage- ment of the local rescue mission resulted in the suspension of services to men. It was then that Trailhead Resources organized to offer much needed wrap- around services to this vulner- able population. Trailhead Resources is a non- profit organization that has oper- ated in Cleveland County since 2017 by addressing the holistic needs of homeless and under- served men. Executive Director Gary Leigh began working with the homeless population as a peer support counselor in 2017 and has continued to see a gap in access to services for those in the most need in our county. That need drove him to work diligently on closing the gap. Now, he and Robert Johnson, Operations Director are on a mission to see that gap closed forever and to help anyone navi- gate the road to independence and productive living. Year 'round, Trailhead offers day programming, access to medical and mental health ser- vices, basic needs like food and clothing, as well as support groups for personal and spiri- tual development of each indi- vidual guest that comes through the doors of "The Common" on Warren Street in Shelby. Naturally, this outreach sees an influx of participants as the temperatures get extreme; high or low. Gary and Robert see this as an opportunity to spread even more love! "No one should be denied basic needs of food, clothes, shelter, medical attention and access to medicine. We were seeing so many men begin go thrive simply because they were attended to by a caring physi- cian and had access to medica- tions that manage their men- tal and physical health," says Robert. "We began to see that maybe the fact they had someone "in their corner" was a huge boost to their self esteem. It's amazing what a healthy relationship with a person who genuinely cares can do for a person." Trailhead Resources is wel- coming between 18 and 20 men nightly at the facility at 212 Washington Street in Uptown Shelby. Guests have access to hot showers, three meals a day, transportation to and from day programming to keep the men off the street and occupied See SHELTER, Page 2 Local men's shelter needs your support to stay open Mental Health Association's ComPeer program teaches an art class at The Common once a month. Photos provided Robert Johnson, Operations Director and resident play horseshoes. Monday - Thursday 7am til 4 pm vitaeyeclinic.com 24/7 EMERGENCY EYE CARE "GET $ 50 TODAY!" 501-322-0505