Our Neighbors’ Place, the homeless shelter operation organized by Erie United Methodist Alliance, has changed a lot since COVID-19 took hold last year.

Prior to the pandemic, different churches around the area would rotate to operate as a shelter, so people experiencing homelessness would have a warm place to sleep and shower during the winter.

Now only two churches in the alliance are participating as a shelter, but the mission has gotten Erie's Mental Health Association to open up their facilities. 

Our Neighbors Place is a mission running from November to March in Erie, designed to give people a warm place to sleep during the winter, no questions asked.

"We accept everybody no matter how they present,” said Our Neighbors’ Place coordinator, Pat Tracy.

That all changed when COVID-19 hit. Now, the intake process is all different. "When guests come in for the first time, they have to call (814) SHELTER, which is coordinated entry. Then, they are accepted into Our Neighbors’ Place, if there are no other beds in town,” said Tracy.

If there are other beds they have to leave the shelter and go to another, no matter the distance. "It's pretty disappointing for some of them when they're told they have to walk four or five blocks to some other place,” said Tracy.

We spoke to Rob OConnell, the manager of Our Neighbors’ Place for this season. He says it's been difficult to keep up with all the changes. "It has been a whirlwind. Navigating the new restrictions. Navigating the paper work. Coordinating between all the different churches and their volunteers. It's been non-stop,” said O’Connell.

Guests are allowed to stay consecutive nights if they arrive at the shelter before 9:00 P.M. They say they have people who have slept in the same cot since November. Most of the time, the shelter hits its 35 people capacity. Volunteers for Our Neighbor's Place say the challenges this winter has presented are well worth it. “You fall in love with these people. It's not a job. It's not a ministry. They become your family and friends and you love them,” said O’Connell.

To sign up to volunteer, click here.