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UMOM opens 20 more shelter units during COVID-19

Posted 4/1/20

UMOM New Day Centers, which provides emergency shelter, supportive services, and housing for families, single women, and youths experiencing homelessness, is sheltering more families in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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UMOM opens 20 more shelter units during COVID-19

Posted

UMOM New Day Centers, which provides emergency shelter, supportive services, and housing for families, single women, and youths experiencing homelessness, is sheltering more families in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With more than 170 families in Maricopa County awaiting to escape the “unsafe environment of living on the streets, sleeping in their cars, or residing in an unstable living situation,” according to a press release, this is a 30% increase from last week with a wait time of 12 weeks.

As the community navigates COVID-19’s widespread reach across Arizona, UMOM is said to anticipate an increased number of families in Maricopa County who will need emergency shelter.

The extra 20 shelter units will immediately reduce the waitlist by 20 families and serve an additional 80 families annually.

“It is unacceptable that children are living on the streets, waiting months for access to a safe bed and hot meals,” said Darlene Newsom, UMOM CEO, in a prepared statement.

“This problem is solvable, but we need the community to step up and help out.”

Daily, there are many community members experiencing homelessness, the release said, adding that UMOM’s family shelter houses 135 families - 600 individuals and with the additional shelter units it increases to 155 families or 688 individuals; the women’s shelter houses 130 single women; and youth locations shelter 60 youths.

The help of the community is being sought more than ever, especially to open additional rooms to help end homelessness by providing emergency shelter and supportive services to the most needy facing homelessness during this crisis, the release noted.

Donate online at UMOM.org or you can also purchase items on UMOM’s Amazon wish list at https://tinyurl.com/tx882wf.