PKG: Catholic action center expansion
Credit: WTVQ Lexington, KY
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Like summer...but the catholic action center in lexington is already thinking about winter.
It's worried...because of coronavirus...it won't have enough room to house all the homeless in need in lexington.
The shelter had to cut its capacity almost in half in march to allow for social distancing.
Now, it's expanding...but...as abc 36's monica harkins reports ...the center is still concerned it won't be enough.
"ginny ramsey: we're tired of telling people no, we had no room."
After about six months of turning people away... "that's what we're supposed to be doing is taking care of our people."
Ginny ramsey says the catholic action center can finally offer more beds..particularly needed because of covid-19.
"monica standup: the main building for the catholic action center faces industry road but if i take you to the other side...you'll find this building the new mother theresea covid- 19 shelter."
Ramsey says the center has owned this part facing goodwin drive since it bought the building four years ago but it was waiting for the kentucky career center...which previously occupied it... to find a new location.
"it is so needed to have more space, more beds for those folks who call the streets their home."
This new area will be kept separate from those who stay below in the main shelter and will house about 80...which is good news but ramsey is already thinking about what she's calling a triple threat.
"the biggest concern we have is what's coming up.
The winter, the flu season in the covid together will be impossible for people to survive on the streets.
" ramsey estimates even with evictions banned for the rest of the year...the pandemic will create more need than she can offer help for.
"it's not going to take care of everyone.
Right now the estimate is 400 beds short in lexington.
" the new mother teresa shelter is expected to open in about a month...but first, the center needs to raise about 125-thousand dollars.
"we've got to have it done before winter."
Or risk...leaving a lot of people out in the cold.
In lexington monica harkins abc 36