Temperatures typically drop into the 40s during the winter and may even drop into the 30s, making shelters like the one in Burbank vital to homeless people in the area, Bales said.
“It can be lifesaving,” he said.
The shelter’s large, indoor cement area offers homeless visitors cots, blankets, pillows and sheets, along with two daily meals provided by the mission or by local area organizations, which sometimes serve meals as a community service, Bales said.
The shelter also offers nightly movies, shown on a big-screen TV donated last year by Mayor Dave Golonski, and gives visitors personal hygiene supplies and access to social services to help connect people to job opportunities or other programs that might lead them out of homelessness, Bales said.
“The nicer and more welcoming we make the experience, the more probable they make a change in their lives,” Bales said.
The shelter is operating for its second year in Burbank after Glendale shut down its winter operation after more than 10 years of service.
Although some residents have expressed concerns that homeless people might wander from the armory to nearby businesses and homes, the shelter will be protected by private security and police officers, with visitors only allowed to arrive and leave on special buses during designated pick-up and drop-off hours in the evenings and mornings, Bric said.
“I think it’s fantastic that we can lend a helping hand to the less fortunate with basically no financial impact to our residents,” said Bric, explaining that the police officers on duty would have been patrolling parks anyway.
The private security personnel were hired by the mission, Bales said.
The nighttime refuge was valuable to Robert Cheader, 44, who was getting ready to wait in line for a serving of pasta with meat sauce and a side of creamed corn.
“I like to take advantage of this place,” said Cheader, who has been struggling to support himself since 2007. “At least I can stay here at night, then go out in the day and look for work.”
Other shelters aren’t as nice and can be uncomfortable, said Lawrence Keuleman, 45, explaining that the few winter shelters across the San Fernando Valley can be crowded, resulting in fights.
Most importantly, Keuleman said, it keeps him out of the cold, damp weather that can be problematic when sleeping outdoors.
“If you’ve got a sleeping bag, you’re damp,” Keuleman said. “And when you wake up, you’re wet and cold. And I don’t like to be cold.”
ZAIN SHAUK covers education. He may be reached at (818) 637-3238 or by e-mail at zain.shauk@latimes.com.
