LISTEN: New Life Center Executive Director Rob Swiers’ conversation with Bonnie Amistadi and Jace Denman
FARGO, N.D. – New Life Center opened its winter warming shelter on Tuesday, February 3, but its executive director says the need for a place to stay for homeless people is beyond capacity in Fargo-Moorhead.
The warming shelter across the street from the nonprofit’s main building on the 1900 block of 3rd Avenue North in Fargo is a retrofitted former warehouse with 32 beds. New Life Center now has 184 beds for men.
Executive Director Rob Swiers said his organization is seeing challenges with helping older men including mobility issues, incontinence and recently seeing a man needing to use a CPAP machine.
“He can’t sleep in the middle of the dorm because he can’t plug his CPAP in. Those are some of the logistical things that we need to take into consideration if we’re really going to help someone and helping them move onto an apartment or assisted living,” Swiers explained.
Swiers said in his 15 years at New Life Center the biggest issue he’s seen with people needing help is those with mental health struggles.
“If we can help someone get off the street, get stable and get whatever they need, especially from a mental health standpoint, they’re able to heal and make some reconnections and move on,” Swiers said.
New Life Center is looking for volunteers and clothing donations and is taking part in Giving Hearts Day.
