Two months of Hudson's first Code Blue shelter

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Giving to those in need is nothing new at the First Reformed Church of Hudson. But after partnering with the Columbia County government, the church became a shelter which has been a source of pride for those who stay there.

"One of the things that I was pleasantly surprised with today when I came in is that the guys had found out that you were coming to do the interviews and they were scurrying around trying to make sure that the place was neat, clean. Everyone was working together which to us may not sound important but when you stop to think that’s a major change for them," said Pastor Dan Herrick.

The unhoused have created a community out of the Blanche Hotaling Memorial Mission two months since its hard launch; hanging out both inside the fellowship hall and outside the church as friends.

"This place has been absolutely fantastic. I don’t know where I’d be without it, honestly." "I agree. Where would I be right now? I’d be on the street at this moment," some of the guests told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski.

And the church has been helping more guests than they’ve ever expected to. "When we first opened the shelter, we were figuring we would have maybe five, six guys a night," recalled Pastor Dan. "Maybe one or two women. The last words that I’ve been getting is that we’re doing over twenty people a night."

So, Pastor Dan and his partners are looking into expanding the church; a solution to the amount of unhoused people staying in area hotels.

"It’s definitely money better spent than a nightly rate at a hotel. The other thing unfortunately I have to report is our numbers are as high as they’ve ever been. Before we broke for the holiday, I think we had 77 rooms that the County was paying for," stated Robert Gibson, Commissioner of Columbia County Department of Social Services.

The Code Blue shelter at 52 Green Street in Hudson is open from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. with help from the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene. The church also lets people stay inside throughout the day to stay warm.