Warming up for now: First Presbyterian in Jeffersonville opens gym for temporary homeless shelter

 JEFFERSONVILLE — If it weren’t for First Presbyterian Church opening its gym, a man who asked to be called J.P. would be in his semi trailer compartment in Jeffersonville during sub-zero temperatures.“I’ve got a little kerosene heater, but it doesn’t do much in this kind of weather,” J.P. said.

He’s one of about 20 homeless people who are staying in the temporary shelter set up in the downtown church this week while temperatures dip below zero degrees and snow piles up.

They’re called “white flag” nights, when weather emergencies drive local organizations to convert rooms into shelters.

“These folks here would have been on the streets,” said Paul Stensrud, director for Jesus Cares at Exit 0.

The emergency homeless service organization opened its warehouse on Federal Avenue as a warming station and temporary shelter Monday. Since then, they’ve had to move to First Presbyterian as more and more cots are being filled up.

“I’m expecting a bigger crowd [Wednesday night] because I’ve been told more folks are wanting to come in [from the streets],” Stensrud said.

Most who are sleeping in the church are not allowed in the Williams Emergency Shelter for various reasons — they’ve been in physical fights, have addictions or are registered sex offenders. The shelter already has more than 100 occupants — 40 people over its capacity.

And several community members have stepped forward to help where they can.

The Rev. Don Summerfield, pastor at First Presbyterian, said a good partnership with Exit 0 helped make the temporary shelter possible.

“It’s cold, and they live outside,” Summerfield said. “And we’re Christians, and we’ve got a warm place.”

He called First Presbyterian and Exit 0 an “odd couple” — an old established denominational building partnering with an independent entrepreneurial ministry. But it works, he said.

“We couldn’t staff this thing, but he can,” Summerfield said.

The Red Cross donated cots and the Jeffersonville Fire Department donated blankets earlier this week. Colgate Baptist Church is donating meals, and members of Park Memorial Church are picking people up to use the church’s showers.

“A lot of people don’t think you can [make it work], but the thing is, every little bit counts,” Stensrud said.

Some homeless people are helping each other out, too. Stensrud said one man went around to local businesses and asked for money donations, which he gave to Exit 0 in full. A couple of guys emptied their pockets to donate $11.45 for fuel for Exit 0’s van, which has been picking up people on the streets and bringing them to the church.

“Our guys are good guys,” Stensrud said.

J.P. said he’s been homeless for six years, having lived in the Williams Emergency Shelter and “tent city” before he lived behind an area business.

“This is great,” he said of the temporary shelter at First Presbyterian. “It’s helping a lot of people.”

Ron Bryant, who just lost his Jeffersonville house in December, walked from Louisville to First Presbyterian after Wayside Christian Mission turned him away.

“By the time I got here, my hands were so cold, I couldn’t feel my fingers,” Bryant said.

Bryant makes $825 a month in disability checks because of his Crohn’s disease.

“I told [Stensrud] I was willing to give him my whole check every month if it meant he could keep doing this,” he said.

Louisville resident Brian Long used to take advantage of Exit 0’s services, but now he owns his own home and is married with children.

His car isn’t running right now, but he still managed to come to First Presbyterian to volunteer.

“I walked from 50th and Muhammad [streets in Louisville] just to help Paul out,” Long said.

Stensrud said that while the temporary shelter is working for the time being, he needs another option to run his ministry.

“We need a building. That’s all,” he said. “I know that if we have a building, they will come … This right here should tell you that we need another shelter.”