For decades, the Family of Woodstock’s Darmstadt Shelter has been helping the homeless, providing basic needs and programs to get them back on their feet. On Wednesday, they celebrated 30 years of work in the community. Time Warner Cable News' Candace Dunkley has more.
Joanne Schreiber sought help at the Darmstadt Shelter for the Homeless in Kingston late last September.
"I had a grooming shop in the Bronx and I had a mental breakdown," she said. "I wasn’t able to keep it open. I went into the hospital, and I was there for over a month and I came here [at] 10:30 a.m., shaking like a leaf."
Schreiber is doing much better now. She has her own place and volunteers at the shelter.
Schreiber’s story is a familiar one at Darmstadt. The shelter, run by the Family of Woodstock, has helped thousands of people since 1985. Wednesday, a celebration was held to celebrate its 30-year anniversary.
"I just care so much about this place, and the people in it," Schreiber said. "I thank God for them every day."
Darmstadt didn’t spend all three decades at this Thomas Street location. It first had modest beginnings – as the Kingston Shelter for the Homeless -- in the basement of a Kingston church, where Ralph Darmstadt was the pastor.
Family of Woodstock Executive Director Michael Berg says the shelter was named after Darmstadt when he left to pastor another church. Since then, the shelter has moved several times before coming to where it is now.
Berg says, over the years, the shelter has focused on getting people back on their feet.
"If somebody needs mental health services, we will advocate that they receive them," Berg said. "If they need substance abuse services, the same is true. If there are health issues, we'll help them connect to medical services."
They’re services that Schreiber says she’s grateful for.
"I came a long way," she said.
If you’re interested in helping out this holiday season, you can find out how here at their donation website.