Helping Hands News

The Southeast Colorado Homeless Shelter, also known as the Compassion Center, is operating again after a change in management.
Former board member John Maxwell has taken over the keys to the shelter and is hoping to help people in need.
Gospel music plays in the shelter and each person who stays there gets a small Bible to take with them when they leave, Maxwell said.
"This is a Gospel type situation," he said.
Those in need can stay three nights in the shelter, allowing them to get back on their feet and catch their breath, before either traveling on or finding shelter of their own.
Local businesses donate food to the shelter, so that people have something to eat and Maxwell, from Wiley, often cooks meals for residents there.
Maxwell is hoping to have a community dinner one night a week for anyone in Lamar or Prowers County.
Bake sales are planned, he said. Maxwell plans to meet with the Ministerial Alliance at their next meeting, to try and gain assistance from churches in funding the shelter.
The shelter is a non-smoking facility and is handicap accessible.
Maxwell requires each person who stays in the shelter to clean themselves before meals, providing soap, shampoo, toothpaste and other toiletries.
Men and women sleep at opposite ends of the house, regardless of whether they are married or not.
People can stay at the shelter for three days and three nights and Maxwell requires the residents to seek work while they are staying there.
The shelter is also in need of canned goods, and other foods, Maxwell said.
Maxwell said he hopes the shelter will be a stepping stone for those in need and will give them time to catch their breath before moving on.
"People will help themselves, if you give them a chance," he said