Placer County Pastor Hopes To Convert Old Barracks Into Homeless Shelter
AUBURN (CBS13) - A Placer County pastor hopes to transform old military barracks into a homeless shelter.
"It was a minimum-security place. There are beds there. To be honest with you, the money wouldn't be that expensive," said Pastor Mike Carroll.
The pastor has already drummed up support from other community members, but he now wants to get the county on board to fix the area's growing homeless problem.
Some in Placer County want to give the less fortunate a place to call home, and new life to this old, forgotten building.
As the sounds of Christmas mass from St. Teresa of Avila Church in Auburn fill the air, just next door the local homeless are also learning the reason for the season.
"Why not open the hall and our hearts to them, ya know?" said Pastor Mike.
Pastor Mike has opened his doors at the hall of his church for five nights during the Christmas holiday so the homeless have a place to sleep, food to eat -- even movies to watch.
"It means a lot to just come in here and take a hot shower. It's wonderful," said Steve, who is homeless.
Many of the homeless are here because there aren't any shelters nearby. Father Mike says more and more homeless show up every night, with no other place to go.
"Well over 75 percent, with a little help, can be much more independent," said Pastor Mike. "All the churches here, they all want to do something."
The pastor's idea is to use the old minimum-security barracks at Dewitt Center off Bell Road as a homeless shelter. Some of its historic buildings haven't been used in years, and Father Mike says he already has the support behind him to fix it up and the volunteers to help run it. He must still convince the county to consider the idea, but these homeless are hoping they won't have to spend another Christmas out in the cold.
"It gives them structure; it gives them a foundation -- some place they can call home. You have to have a place you call home. You have to have that," said Steve.
Father Mike says he plans to take the idea to the county board of supervisors as soon as possible.
Some of the old barracks currently house various county offices.