When Faith Mission began providing shelter, most residents were adult men. Today however, the fastest-growing segments are women and families with children. According to a recent study by Indiana University South Bend, more than half of the homeless in Elkhart County are women and nearly one-quarter are children younger than 15.

Sadly, the condition and physical layout of our facilities severely limit our ability to help them all. Our emergency shelter beds are filled every night. 201 families and 106 individuals were turned away due to lack of space at the Mission in 2005.

Despite our best efforts, we have run out of options. Our buildings are in poor shape and deteriorating - some are more than a century old. We cannot provide the level of safety, dignity and privacy our residents deserve.

Maintenance and insurance costs are increasing rapidly. Renovation is neither financially nor logistically viable.

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