Homeless Shelter in Murphy becoming a reality

Hurlburt Johnson Friendship House

By:Amy Nicolson

With volunteers working all around, the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church’s Green Team began putting to good use a new grant this week.  The $5,000 Human Hurt and Hope Grant generously given by the Western NC Diocese of the Episcopal Church will go far in reducing the almost $1,200 monthly average utility bills at the Hurlburt Johnson Friendship House, our only local homeless shelter.

Led by the expertise of the Southern Appalachian Sustainable Building Council, the shelter had heating ducts repaired, resulting in an approximate 60% reduction of heating and air conditioning loss in the attic.  Members of the Mormon Church cleared brush to allow utilization of clothes lines.  With 32 people staying there, it will save much on clothes drying.  We also repaired leaky windows and installed energy saving blinds.

It was a picture of the ‘beloved community’ with people of faith coming together with our homeless families to make a more lovely and comfortable place for folks to stay in while they work their way into self-sufficiency.

If you would like to volunteer with the Friendship House, please call 837-2654.