"The Nashville Rescue Mission has seen firsthand how the face of homelessness has changed over the years."

I say it all the time here; the local Rescue Mission gets a bad rap by some folks on the street, but for every person who's got something bad to say, a dozen more find shelter, food and safety from the night. Sure it may not be what someone wants for a long-term solution but then, it isn't designed to be a place for long stays. I'm telling you, there is simply no doubt whatsoever that we'd be in seriously bad shape without the helping hands at the Mission, especially right now.... More Families Turning To Shelters

Posted: Aug 21, 2008 11:43 PM

Video Gallery <1> More Families Turning To Shelters 2:39

Nashville Rescue Mission

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - There are 167 women and children living at the Nashville Rescue Mission.

That is more than double the amount the women's facility is designed to hold.

During the current economic slump, more families are turning to local shelters.

The Nashville Rescue Mission has seen firsthand how the face of homelessness has changed over the years.

The mission serves many children who attend Nashville's schools.

"Oh, yeah, they are very smart and they know exactly what's going on," said Claire Dunsing, who is homeless.

"You got so many children, so many families that don't have a backyard to play in. They don't have their own rooms to go to," said Chamane Solomon, who is also homeless. "They're used to their mothers cooking them dinner. We can't do that anymore."

The Nashville Rescue Mission has seen a 32 percent increase in homeless women and children within in the last two years.

Cliff Tredway, spokesman for the mission, said 25 percent of the facility's total population is children under the age of 10.

"That's just unacceptable," he said.

The chapel at the women's shelter also serves as the overflow room. On Thursday, each one of the pews will become someone's bed.

The average stay at the shelter varies from family to family. As many of them make plans to leave, they realize there are others waiting to take their place.

"I thought I was the only one in that bad situation, but when I come here and see that it's not only me," said Ann Julius, who is homeless.

The Nashville Rescue Mission would like to expand its women's facility, but it will take about $5 million to add the number of beds that are desperately needed.

The shelter is currently exploring different avenues for expansion. During these tough economic times, the Nashville Rescue Mission has seen a decline in donations, which are needed to expand the women and children shelter.