WestCare’s new program director at its Pikeville-based homeless shelter and community involvement center wants to put the word, “home” back into homeless shelter.

Last Thursday, Sharon Yates hosted a party for children at the shelter when they returned from their first day of school. She said she threw her son, a University of Kentucky student, a party on his first day of school every year and she talked about how the children at the shelter were excited about starting school last week.  Pikeville City School officials provided them with new book bags.

“The people need to realize that this is their homeless shelter,” Yates said. “It’s our home, it’s our family and it’s our homeless shelter. This is a small town. It’s everyone’s responsibility. Our job is to decide what brought them here and to help them, make sure they don’t need to come to the homeless shelter again.”

Yates, a former resource and development commissioner of Westcare, says she has volunteered during most of her adult life, working with her son’s school or doing fundraising, and she urges the community to get more involved.

Last Wednesday, 10 single male beds were full at the facility.

“Just think,” Yates said. “Where would they be if we weren’t here?”

She asks groups and people in the community to host game nights or mentor programs for shelter residents and the facility is seeking sponsorship for room remodeling.

Yates wants to completely remodel the building’s kitchen because she says the kitchen is a gathering place for families. A bigger countertop and a breakfast table is needed there, she said, so shelter residents can feel more at home.  

Sponsors are also needed for two dorms, each with 10 beds, Yates said, and the community room needs additional couches and furniture.

Donations of new toys, non-perishable foods, cleaning items, paper items, household goods, new sheets and other bedding materials, towels, folding tables, chairs and lawn care equipment are on the facility’s list of needs.

Yates invites community members to call her with any questions about donating, volunteering or helping connect people in need with the resources that will their lives back on track. For more information, call (606) 432-9442.