MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Tuesday, temperatures dropped into the 20s in Myrtle Beach, and many homeless looked for places they could survive the freeze.
Even though it’s not a “homeless shelter” the New Directions building, off Mr. Joe White Avenue formerly known as Street Reach, takes in anyone during extremely cold nights.
“It is going to be way too cold to be spending the night on the street tonight; that our doors are open no questions asked, no drug test, no questions asked,” said Kathy Jenkins.
Jenkins is the Executive Director of New Directions.
She says the building which is used for people in the group’s “Back to Work Back to Life” rehabilitation program can fit an extra 100 people looking for shelter from the cold.
They have a stock pile of blankets and say they would love for people looking for shelter to join the 30 day rehab program, but during the cold nights it’s not a requirement
“We will do whatever we can to make sure not a single person is stuck out in the cold tonight,” said Jenkins.
However, people will still stay on the streets.
“Got here two days ago and ended up in a situation like this where we ended up homeless,” said John Perll.
Perll says he was dropped off in Myrtle Beach by a church group from North Carolina on Monday.
Tuesday was only his second day on the streets, and all he had with him was what he and his wife could carry.
However, he said he would not go to New Directions, because the organization usually requires men and women to stay in separate buildings.
“It’s going to be like last night; freezing cold,” said Perll.
Jenkins said Perll and his wife would have been able to stay together at the family shelter due to the extreme circumstances.
However, the couple did get a motel room thanks to a Good Samaritan who overheard our interview.
