Church congregation helps homeless during cold spell

The Upper Room Assembly opens doors, providing shelter and support amid freezing temperatures.

Nichole Braxton wasn't surprised there was such a need for homeless people in the community when her church, The Upper Room Assembly & Worship Center, opened its doors to help during the recent cold spell.
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Nichole Braxton wasn't surprised there was such a need for homeless people in the community when her church, The Upper Room Assembly & Worship Center, opened its doors to help during the recent cold spell.

"We don't do enough for our homeless as a community," she said. "We didn't know there were so many. They hide very well because they have to. There is such a stereotypical thought process out there that the homeless are on drugs or alcohol, and that is very much not true. We've met some pretty great people struggling to make it on their own, and all they need is a little support."

When the Braxtons drove by people sleeping outside in this cold weather, Nichole said to her husband Stan, "We have to help them. We have that big building."

Nichole Braxton said, "Now a lot of other people are jumping on board. We have cots all around the room. When we first came, all we had was a cement floor and sleeping bags. It was like, 'Where do we sleep?' And we said, 'Just pick a spot.' The Red Cross donated some cots for us to use, and that's when it started coming together and everything fell into place.”

A community member came in to hook people up with some important documents they would need, like birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and getting them set up with food, medical assistance and a medical card.

"We have helped some apply for jobs and look for apartments," Braxton said.

Hairdresser Debby Moore came to offer free haircuts. Dr. Gwinn came to do complimentary checkups. The Salvation Army has opened its doors to let people take showers so they can clean up. They also helped with getting new underwear, clothes, socks and gloves. They have brought food, cots, sleeping bags and tents. The church also helps people who are getting back on their feet with household items they will need.

"We've had so much support from other churches in the community. There are lots of individuals in the community that have a heart and a passion for the homeless, but they just don't know how to help. We are hoping that when they leave, they will have everything they need," Braxton said.

As a small church, their only fear was being able to pay the electric and the gas.

"Everyone in the church had faith that God would provide, and he has provided," Braxton said.

They are hoping donations will continue to come in as needed.

"This isn't our building. This is God's building, so we have to open it up, and we have a congregation that is very supportive," Braxton said. "Do I think Coshocton can sustain a homeless shelter? I think, yeah. People worry it will make the property value go down, but that's not true. I've seen such a heart and a passion in the community this week that has blown us away."

The church has about 10 volunteers on three different shifts, headed by Karen Eubanks. Coshocton's Progress Not Perfection Sober Living people are volunteering to help. There has been such a big community support.

"One of the guys was given a big plate of beef and noodles," Braxton said. "He said, 'I don't remember the last time I've had a meal like this.' We've already seen there is a huge need for the homeless people in our community. We have had people who have been homeless for seven or eight years, and they have lived in Coshocton their entire lives. I wish we could make a camp for them and keep it nice, a safe place where they can go, where we could bring them a hot meal.

"They're so grateful. We need to keep the food coming. That's the only thing, and monetary donations are a big thing. We have to pay the bills. People can drop money off here or through the link on our website. We couldn't do it on our own. When we first started, it was just me and my husband. We even brought our kids here. The first person that we helped get back on their feet and was able to find a job. He was excited, and we were excited too."

When they first started, people stopped by to leave things, and now they have food, a pile of socks and more.

"We're blessed," Braxton said. "It’s been a fun week. We have a congregation that is very supportive. It's nice we have all these others getting on board. But we have to keep paying the bills. We have faith that it will all come in. We can't afford to go negative."

Anyone wanting to help can drop things off at the church or donate through the link.

"That first person that we helped has job offers now and a place to stay," Braxton said. "We have had no issues at all; everyone is so kind. One of the guys that we helped said, 'I can't believe you want to help. I can't believe you even care.' Even if you don't volunteer, come and hang out, play a board game, spend some time, talk to people. They love to talk.

"We currently have nine staying here. The other day when I came in, I could hear them snoring, and it made me cry that they were able to rest, that we can give them a warm, safe place to stay. If people just need to come in and get warm, the door is open."

There are other resources in the community as well. Pastor Starkey Lawrence of Shepherd's Christian Assembly on Main Street has a soup lunch Mondays through Thursdays. The Salvation Army puts food out. The Nazarene Church has had a meal.

"It would be nice to get the word out," Braxton said. "Coshocton needs to do more. We had a family with nine kids who came in for a meal. We've probably had about 50 who came in to get warm. We have got to do more."

Donation options include Cashapp $nicholebraxton689; Venmo @stanbraxton; checks to P.O. Box 293, Coshocton, OH 43812; or dropping off the donation at the shelter, 803 Vine St., Coshocton. For more information call 740-610-0082.