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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 26, 2007 Click image for larger view Nick Koutsouros, St. Vincent de Paul shelter manager, gives a tour of one of the new sleeping areas, with beds for up to eight (another set of bunks is not pictured). (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) A place to take refuge New homeless shelter offers a place to get back on track By Meg Landers Mail Tribune The doors are opening today to St. Vincent de Paul's new 48-bed shelter for homeless people, and organizers want to get the word out. "This is going to be more than double what we were able to house in the old shelter that we tore down," said Al Zon, president of the shelter conference. The nonprofit organization raised $2.9 million for the new shelter as well as a new warehouse and thrift store on North Pacific Highway. Medical and dental care, job training classes, money management classes, nutrition classes and mental health counseling are among programs offered at the new shelter, said St. Vincent de Paul's community relations spokeswoman Kathy Morgan. There's also a new kitchen with stainless steel countertops, a family room and even an upright piano that was donated, she said. "We're trying to get them on an even keel so they can get their life back together," she said. Advertisement She said the shelter's rooms will close from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. because residents are required to look for a job and enroll their children in school. Applicants must undergo a screening process, including a drug test, and must have photo identification, she said. Nick Koutsouros, shelter manager, said he already has a family of six lined up to move in Monday, as well as a single woman who will stay in the new single women's dorm. After the previous shelter — converted from an old garage — was torn down a year and a half ago, St. Vincent's set up a temporary shelter in a house on loan from St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The house closed last week and people staying there moved to motels or friends' homes. Zon, who estimates there are hundreds of homeless people in the Medford area, said in 2006 St. Vincent's housed about 300 people. Ginger Dickerson, volunteer coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul, said though modest, the shelter is much needed. "It's small, but it's better than a culvert," she said. The shelter is at 2424 N. Pacific Highway in Medford north of the Rogue Valley Mall. For more information call St. Vincent de Paul at 772-3828 or visit www.stvincentdepaul.info on the Web. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help