The United Christian Advocacy Network City Mission is continuing to make improvements to its shelter for men.

The mission, which is a 45-day emergency shelter located at 7 West 1st Street, currently has 29 beds, with about 22-23 full.

Jeff Rotunda, UCAN executive director, said despite most people thinking of winter as the time of year when most are without shelter, the summer months are usually the most challenging.

“This is actually our busiest time of year,” he said. “We think that some of the empathy kind of wears off a little bit.”

The ministry continues to make improvements and implement changes to address the different needs of its residents.

“It is so fluid, we’re dealing with people, and every single portion is different,” he said.

The UCAN City Mission has added a kitchen coordinator to make meal preparation easier, more efficient and higher quality for the men’s shelter.

“We have tremendous meals for these guys now,” Rotunda said. “It makes this part of our service consistent so we’re not having to scramble and they’re getting some nutritious meals. It makes it a lot easier for us.”

The ministry plans on making significant upgrades to the building’s heating and air conditioning and is taking COVID-19 factors into consideration.

“We are working on getting a brand new heating and air conditioning system with a filtration system because of COVID,” Rotunda said. “We are in the process of getting that going.”

The men’s shelter is also currently working on making upgrades to its game room. Rotunda said the space allows the men to have a designated place to relieve stress after a day of work.

Recently, the mission received donations for the room, including gaming chairs, television monitors and game systems.

“We’re gonna add some flooring and some other pieces,” he said, “just to really make this available so the guys can enjoy this space and decompress a little more.”

The UCAN City Mission has also created a room to house veterans in need of temporary shelter.

Rotunda said the ministry has made a special commitment to taking care of the county’s veterans.

“Our board has actually even stepped forth and said if we happen to be full and there’s a veteran in need, then our board will actually pay for them to stay in a hotel until we can get them housing,” he said.

Additionally, UCAN plans on adding another veteran’s room on the building’s third floor.

Over the years, Rotunda said the UCAN City Mission has transitioned to housing residents for 45 days in order to accommodate the waiting periods for other agencies and organizations.

At the end of a resident’s 45 days, UCAN meets with all of the organizations helping the individual to expedite any remaining challenges to “help them move forward in a very successful way.”

While city officials have indicated a significant increase in homelessness in the community, Rotunda said UCAN has not seen a major increase recently. Instead, he believes the community is becoming more aware of the issue.

“I wouldn’t say that we’ve directly seen the increase,” he said. “What we have noticed with our homeless coalition meeting is because things are being documented a lot more, yes the numbers seem to be going up, but I think we’re getting a better perspective and a better view of what our homeless population is.”

Nevertheless, the ministry is taking steps to address the need for shelter by adding a shelter for women and children.

Although the new facility will be structured differently for women and children, UCAN will be providing the residents with a similar level of care as the men’s shelter.

“We’ll be offering all the same stuff that we’re offering here to our women and family’s facilities,” he said, “plus a little extra that comes specific with dealing with women and children. We’re already setting those pieces up.”

Rotunda said the community has been instrumental in helping the men’s shelter provide residents with food, shelter, clothing and laundry services.

Additionally, Rotunda said community donations provide the men with soap, shampoo, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and any other toiletry items.

“We’ve never had to purchase any of that,” he said.

The community’s generosity continues to help the mission expand and better address each individual’s needs.

UCAN’s City Mission also works in coordination with different organizations and agencies in the county. Rotunda said the mission currently works with about 45 different agencies.

“We’re very grateful for all the different organizations,” he said. “That’s been one of the biggest pieces that we’re really starting to see blossom.”

Rotunda said the cooperation of different organizations may not bring an end to homelessness, but it helps better address the issue and provide a way for people to improve their lives and be successful.