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Show A12 Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Vernal Express ET!3 teir tmr El . R fp By Tabatha Peaks Express Reporter Residents of the Uintah Basin, the newly arrived and those who have lived here for decades, have become masters of creative housing. hous-ing. With the gas-and-oil industry thriving, people from across the states are making Vernal their home, despite a severe housing hous-ing shortage. To compensate, families are doubling up in single-family homes. Friends, and even some strangers, are living liv-ing together as roommates. Most hotels are filled to capacity. The local KOA campground has trailers trail-ers set up for lengthy stays, and some people are living in camp trailers in friends' and families' backyards. But there are some who haven't fared so well. They may have had housing, but because of an illness or loss pi.j.. iiii mmii iiu. i i wiiiwn.NWMini'iniium uuni jvanmimji jifMiTO'ywjwgyWBJWiiJi, mm "lSl ;i j v t -7 ' "". m'nm'. The Turning Point Shelter in Vernal is funded by grants and private donations. The center helps homeless people and families get back on their feet. 5 permrmwrnm pr7- f v"'"."j I 7 !i Real toicev .andiMns 11:00 am -2:00 pin v Elks Lodge 35 North 300 West I ; I Across from True Value i I Smile. We now offer dental coverage. v1 1 At SelectHealth, we're making it simpler and easier to protect your teeth. Our new dental insurance products feature competitive rates, flexible plan designs and excellent local service. And combining dental with our medical coverage can make it even more convenient and affordable. To learn more, visit sclecthcalth.orgdcnta! today. The health plan you choose really can make a difference. E Sf selecthealth. Simply there" ENTER FCR A OUNCE TO WJH $2500 IN PRIZES. Upload a photo of something that puts a grin on your face at www.protecttoothy.comwin. Don't wait, the contest ends December 1. You could win big! , i 2008 SelectHealth. All rights reserved, 0958 1008 of job, they've lost their living space. And with people lining up to pay premium prices for rental properties in the Basin, landlords are not tolerating late payers, or negotiating with non-paying tenants. Susy Anderson, director of the Turning Point Shelter, in Vernal, said that while many people have survived the warm summer months camping in local lo-cal campgrounds, colder weather makes that a difficult option. "We had a lot of people who came in during the summer who said they were living in tents, and just wanted to use the facility to take a shower," she said. "I've talked to a lot who are living in camp trailers, or doubling up with friends. With winter coming though, they can't live outside anymore." The shelter, which was created cre-ated in 2007, has room for eight women, eight men and two families, but is already filled to capacity. Rules for residency, which is limited to a maximum of 60 days, are strict: No drinking, no drugs, a 10 p.m curfew and an intense rehabilitation program. "We're not ahotel or a resort," says Anderson. "Every person here has to get a job. We help them do that, and it doesn't matter if it's only $8 an hour. They can work at that job until something better comes along." Parents who stay at the shelter with their children are expected to work as well, the only exception is if the children are not yet school age. "With both parents working while their kids are in school, they can make more money towards getting back on their feet," says Anderson. "Unless their kids are not in school, then we have to determine if child care would cost more than the second parent would be making." Upon entering the shelter, each person who plans to stay for a longer-term works with Anderson to identify obstacles in his or her life, and creates a plan to overcome them. Residents create and adhere to a strict budget, which includes paying outstanding debts, starting a savings program, and payment the $ 1 0 a day they pay the shelter to live there. "These people really want to work and get their lives back together," Anderson says. "Some of them were working just a month ago, but got sick or lost their job, then lost their homes. We work hard together to help them use their resources, including getting a GED, finding find-ing jobs, applying for benefits and low income housing." Anderson said many of the residents resi-dents were drawn to Vernal because of the high-paying jobs in the oilfield, only to find there was no affordable housing. "Sometimes we have to help them decide if they need to go back where they came from, or move on to another area where there are jobs and housing that is affordable," says Anderson. Anderson and her staff work closely with the housing authority, author-ity, Department of Workforce Services and local government, to help residents create a successful exit strategy. The shelter doesn't provide meal service, but each level of the home includes a kitchen, where residents can prepare their own meals. Community members and businesses also donate food to the shelter, and residents are expected to work with what others oth-ers give them, or food they bring themselves. The men's area includes two small rooms with two hunk beds in each room, a common bathroom bath-room and kitchen. The women's side is set up similarly, while the two-family units downstairs include a small living and dining area, a tiny kitchen, a small bedroom bed-room with two sets of bunk beds, and a fold-out "Murphy" bed in the living room for the parents. Anderson said she's thankful for the opportunity to help those she can, but is always bothered when she has to turn people away, especially during the winter months. When residents leave the shelter, they often ask to take their blankets with them, and Anderson always lets them. "The community has been absolutely wonderful," says Anderson. "It almost a magical thing. Whenever we need something some-thing here, it has a way of just showing up. Of course I wish we could help every single person who is homeless, but it feels good knowing that we help as many as we can. A local organization will be holding a coat drive to collect winter coats to donate to the shelter, shel-ter, but Anderson said they are always in need of food, blankets and gloves. Donations may be dropped off at the shelter located at 145 W. 100 N. Vernal. tdeansvernal.com . j 2X i! -I i- . I , . 'jk ,."V Atransient man walks the streets of Vernal after spending a night at the Turning Point Shelter. The center provides housing for up to 60 days for homeless people, and can offer a bed for one night to transients passing through. , ,t- 't if '- - . ' 4 , ' 1'- j. " fc;, V ?J1 X - Makeshift camps, like this one, are called home by some people who are down on their luck. With cold weather approaching, those without homes who have survived the summer by camping out, will be left out in the cold. irr i i The Turning Point Shelter houses eight women, eight men, and two families, for up to 60 days. This kitchen is shared by the eight men, although meals are not provided by the center. Community donations of food, along with whatever each resident can contribute, help feed those staying at the shelter. 3 lX?KW lp)HiirH r FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP WITH... . WILL POWER . EMOTIONAL EATING EXERCISING . FOOD ADDICTION ff -A Clifford Webb, Ph.D. & Dawn Webb "Let us help make your life the GREATEST ever!" Or. Webb was past president of the National Society of Hypnotherapists. 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