ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Outreach workers are helping a number of people who were living in Rochester's Civic Center Garage. Many people without homes were there to find refuge from the cold.

Seven people who previously lived in the garage are now staying at Open Door Mission. While the mission is ready to house more, Executive Director Anna Valeria-Iseman says shelter life isn’t for everyone.

"Folks have been living this life for so long, sometimes they just want their own space and to be out of the way," said Iseman.

There’s other factors that play into situations like this. Many who seek shelter in the garage deal with mental health issues or drug and alcohol abuse.

"We’re well connected in the clinical community. We have our own residential drug and alcohol treatment for men," Iseman said. "If they’re ready to make that change, we can connect them internally or externally."

Open Door Mission won’t turn away anyone who’s not clean or sober. But Iseman adds that keeping a peaceful environment is the top priority.

"If a lack of sobriety is causing someone to act out or cause violence, then we’ll find a place that’s a better fit for them," she said.

At the end of the day, Rochester is a small community where, Iseman says, if people want help, they know where to go.

"Our goal and our job is to let them know that we’re here when they’re ready," she said.