Voice of the People - January 7, 2009

Haven helps local homeless

Last Sunday's front-page story on homeless men in our community stated that "unless the mercury falls to 38 degrees or below, there's nowhere for homeless men to go in York County." This is not correct. For over two years, the Haven Men's Shelter, a nonprofit agency, has operated a 14-bed facility on Archive Street off Heckle Boulevard.

The Shelter is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day of the year. Each man shares a semi-private room. Showers, laundry facilities and an evening meal are provided. Men are referred to the shelter from various agencies, police and sheriff departments, Piedmont Medical Center and word of mouth. Men may reside at the Shelter for up to 90 days, provided they abide by the house rules and requirements. Our mission statement defines the Haven as a place where men's lives are restored, recovered and rebuilt.

Financial support is from private and church donations, fund-raisers and small grants. We receive additional support from the United Way of York County. Donations can be mailed to the Haven Men's Shelter, P.O. Box 10653, Rock Hill, S.C. 29731.

Edmund J. FitzGerald

Haven board president

Rock Hill

Residents mistreat their animals

Everything Rick Gwinn wrote in his recent letter I agree with. What he didn't give enough time to is the chained dogs in York County. I have seen dogs that are in deplorable conditions and on chains 24/7. This truly shows the character of our county. As Mr. Gwinn said, it is an embarrassment for all of us.

But most of the embarrassment should lie on the shoulders of Rock Hill Mayor Doug Echols and our County Council, with Buddy Motz as the chairperson, who allow this cruelty to go on. In my eyes, anyone who does nothing to help these poor creatures and has the power to change the law is guilty of abuse themselves.

Last, the County Council should heed the words of a great and gentle man who said, "I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." That quote was from Mahatma Gandhi.

Patty Oneppo

Catawba

This story was originally published January 7, 2009 at 12:53 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - January 7, 2009."