Need is great at Philadelphia House

Men come to the homeless shelter for a variety of reasons.

By CYNTHIA RAMNARACE
Evening News staff writer

There's the man who went from making a six-figure salary driving trucks who lost it all when he got divorced and fell into the web of alcoholism. He's now trying to work again, to stay sober, and to rebuild a relationship with his son.

There's the young man who had it all: private school education, a nice home, wealthy parents, who was told to leave when his parents refused to accept his stealing and lying anymore.

Then there's the engineer in his 70s who lost his job and then his savings and his retirement money.

None ever thought he would be in a homeless shelter. Each night they rest their head on a pillow at Philadelphia House.

Mel Nieswender is the newly appointed director of Philadelphia House. He gives men a place to stay but has rules. They have to be looking for work. They must avoid drugs and alcohol, and submit to random testing. In exchange they have a place to stay as long as they need it.

"Alcohol and drugs have to do with 80 to 90 percent of the reasons men are here," Mr. Nieswender said.

Some men stay for a few months. Others get a job and by the time that first paycheck comes, they are gone.

There is a curfew and there are chores to do. During the day men either must be working or out looking for work. Mr. Nieswender gives them two weeks and if he isn't seeing them making an effort in that time, they are asked to leave.

The accommodations are sparse. Men get a bunk and a locker and dinner every night.

"It's no Taj Mahal," Mr. Nieswender said.

Many of Philadelphia House's tenants are men recently released from jail. With no money and often nowhere else to go, they would otherwise be homeless. The records run the gamut, from sex crimes to nonpayment of child support to drunk driving.

At Philadelphia House, men can have a fresh start, Mr. Nieswender said.

"I tell them, 'That is yesterday,' " he said. "'We can't change it. But if you're willing to change, I can help you.' "

The challenges these men face are many. A police record automatically eliminates many job prospects. Some men said that even putting the Philadelphia House phone number down on an application guarantees he won't get a call back.

"I would love to find a company that would say 'we'll hire your guys,' " Mr. Nieswender said.

And then there are issues like transportation. Most don't have cars, so if they can't walk or bike or if Lake Erie Transit can't take them there, they can't apply for it.

There are 22 bunks at Philadelphia House, and they are usually all filled. Mr. Nieswender often has to turn men away, and so a few weeks ago he re-opened the shelter annex to accommodate more men. He knows there is also need for a women's shelter, and another place for homeless families. The need, he said, is great.

"I don't think the community is aware that we have a homeless problem," Mr. Nieswender said. "If you went down by the river, you'd find a lot of them."

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