Decreasing Temperatures Prompt "Code Blue"
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: January 20, 2013
"It saves a lot of people's lives," explained Donald Hunt. Hunt has been staying at Open Door Mission for about a week.
Hunt has slept on the street before.
"I've slept at the Greyhound bus station, near the hospital, anywhere...just to get out of the cold."
Hunt won't have to worry about that Sunday, and neither will any of the men who show up.
The shelter located on West Main Street in Rochester has activated their "code blue" status.
Under "code blue," Open Door Mission will add 40 sleeping units for a total of 80 beds.
"Instead of maybe one night they get one and one night they don't, they're guaranteed that spot," said Open Door Mission Assistant Supervisor, Kenneth Guyer.
He says they won't turn any man away in need of a place to sleep.
They also have extended hours. Typically, Open Door Mission closes three hours a day, from 10a-1p. But under "code blue," they stay open around the clock.
"It's super cold and they have no where to go," added Guyer.
Guyer speaks from experience.
"I actually lived under the Dinosaur BBQ bridge and the subway. I lived there for two years."
He's grateful Open Door Mission gave him a place to stay when he needed it most.
It's a common feeling among men at the shelter.
"Thank God they have places like this to help people out," said homeless Veteran, Cecil Andrews.
