An update from Dan Simmons of the Wisconsin State Journal on the day shelter in Madison. When he visited on January 2, the coldest day of the year so far, 92 people were using the facilities. Obviously, the shelter is meeting a need.

The article downplayed one significant development–the death a couple of weeks ago of a homeless man. I asked around about it today and learned from my sources some background. The man who died was a regular fixture on Capitol Square, often sitting on the bench on the corner of W. Washington and S. Carroll St. He had significant medical issues. He rarely spent the night in the Drop-In shelter and was found dead in a stairwell in a downtown building.

Another homeless man, a regular in the shelter and around Grace–he often helped us out when we needed an extra hand or some muscle, had a heart attack on Monday and is in the hospital. I’ll try to visit him tomorrow but I know his friends haven’t been able to see him.

One of the people interviewed in the article talked with me on Monday night at First Monday. He’s trying to find housing while living on SSI disability. I’m hopeful he’s been able to connect with the agencies I suggested to him that night.