Street Help will continue its work

Re: Street Help resists effort to toss out homeless, by Julie Kotsis, Jan. 6. The Windsor Fire and Rescue Services arrived at Street Help on Jan. 5 to evacuate homeless men on the coldest day in decades due to fire safety regulations.

Christine Wilson-Furlonger, administrator of the shelter, who was out of town on a family-related matter, directed her staff to refuse to evacuate these individuals to the street.

Accommodations were offered at the Salvation Army and the Downtown Mission. However, these homeless people would have to walk many blocks with inadequate clothing. Furthermore, some of the homeless men may not have been accepted at any of the alternate facilities because of legal issues or mental instability. Does that mean they should be thrown out on the street in the freezing cold?

Thankfully, the fire department provided a temporary and explicit plan for staff members to follow so that they would be able to provide refuge for the homeless in an extraordinary situation.

This example underlines the acute need for beds for those in our community who have no place to go at night but the streets.

Wilson-Furlonger is an exemplary individual who has devoted much of her life to taking care of struggling individuals who live such desperate lives.

As an advocate for the underserved, I fully support Street Help as they continue to care for the homeless in this community by providing warm clothing, food, daytime shelter and — most importantly — sensitivity and respect for human life.