The Eastern Carolina Homeless Organization says there are close to 400 homeless people in the Pee Dee, according to a point in time count in January 2015. With nearly half of those in Florence County.
Kyle Jenkins with the (ECHO) says that in January a count showed that there are 107 homeless unsheltered while 168 in sheltered in Florence County. He says throughout the Pee Dee region there was a headcount of 218 unsheltered.
Wanda Vereen, director for House of Hope in Florence County, says her passion is serving others.
“Just to encourage them, single mothers, any woman that may feel down on herself or feel like her hope has been lost,” says Vereen.
She says her job helps her fulfill that passion. “Finding out what their barriers are and what obstacles they run into when trying to get on their feet.”
Twenty-two year-old Lynette Goodson is from Myrtle Beach. She came to the House of Hope in the Pee Dee in April because she and her four daughters were homeless.
Goodson says at first she was embarrassed to go on camera , but after moments of thinking she then realized that now would be the perfect time to speak out.
“I didn’t want anyone to know that I was at a shelter, but as of right now everything is falling into place,” said Goodson.
Goodson says the House of Hope is a perfect place to focus on goals. “As soon as you get here they start helping you. You get a job and start moving towards your career.”
She says she wanted an escape to walk stronger in her faith.
“I just wanted to block all the negativity away. I wanted to just have my time alone with God and focus on my relationship with him and it’s really helped me a lot.”
Building a career for four little girls.
“They just make me smile everyday and every time I look into their eyes, you know I have something to be thankful for and someone to live for. So it just makes me go harder,” she said.
Goodson says her daughters push her to to fulfilling her dream as a Pediatrician
According to the director the House of Hope is open 365 days a year feeding approximately 30 men and 30 women and children 3 meals a day everyday. They provide housing, medicine, transportation (gasoline), heat or air conditioning, hot water, bedding, clothing, and even school supplies for the children.
