MidMichigan rescue missions are preparing for the coldest air of the season.
While the Saginaw City Rescue Mission has seen a dramatic increase since the weather turned colder, it says it will make room for anybody and that nobody will be turned away.
Last year, the Saginaw City Rescue Mission housed an average of 77 people a night.
This year, it's more than 100. With temperatures in the teens, the numbers will likely be even higher.
"We just encourage people if you don't have somewhere to stay, to come to the city rescue mission. Our doors are open. We have warm beds, blankets, winter accessories. We don't want anyone to go without the proper needs," says Marcia Reeves, Public and Church Relations director.
Mission workers say a bigger problem than poverty is pride.
Some people don't want a handout and refuse to admit they need help.
Reeves says, "It is a very hard decision for some mothers, some adult men, to make because it seems like they're stepping backwards, but actually when it comes to the city rescue mission, they're moving forward."
Resident Michael Lord says, "I was dealing drugs and all that, and I lost my apartment and all that, and I came to the rescue mission in desperation, and I needed a change in my life."
Lord says his pride got in his way. Homeless and seemingly hopeless, he turned to the rescue mission to straighten out his life.
"I would tell people, 'Don't look at a mission as a failure. It's a place where you can re-establish your life.'"
The majority of clients are mothers and children.
"That's disheartening, but it's bitter-sweet. We're glad we're here for them," says Reeves.
The mission has 60 beds for women and children, 70 for men, but it'll put out mattresses for anyone who wants one.
The Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City says it has seen an increase too and that it's preparing for more people to stay the night.
