A young woman slowly entered the front door of Sunrise Mission in Alpena. Lowered eyes and quiet pleas were followed by several young children. The seven-year-old wet herself in the lobby, deeply frightened. All the kids were dirty and some shoeless, shaking and crying having quickly fled a traumatic situation.

Homeless shelters across Michigan and nationally are running full, but most are not equipped to house families or children.

I recently asked Michelle Bailey, the Executive Director of Sunrise Mission, if she’s seen an increase in needs in our community.

“We are facing a homelessness crisis that is only the beginning of an avalanche,” she said. Alpena agencies are reporting that there are currently 130 unsheltered individuals in the area: families, children, and individuals living

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