PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A nonprofit shelter in Camden is celebrating its 10th year helping the homeless. The challenges of COVID-19 haven't prevented this facility from keeping its mission alive.
Joseph's House of Camden started out as a seasonal overnight shelter 10 years ago.
"We have a new facility, we can take a capacity of 90 cots, we're year-round," executive director Shawn Sheekey said of what the shelter looks like now.
Sheekey said the facility provides food and day services with the goal of getting to "what is the underlying cause of people experiencing homelessness."
With COVID-19, challenges grew, and his team got their game plan together. They used PPE, reduced the number of cots to 50, socially distanced guests, and a local hospital helped test everyone.
Sheekey and some of his staff contracted COVID-19, but months later, his team of 27 have received vaccines.
They're moving forward with their goal for the new year of continuing to help the homeless.
"These are just people with nothing and it's just sad. Some sad stories, but the reward is just amazing," Sheekey said.
