Number of people using shelter in the new year is increasing

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - David Fletcher moved to Fort Wayne in search of help.

"I was looking for a bridge to sleep under, and I walked passed this place looking for the bridge," Fletcher said.

After being on drugs and alcohol for 35 years, Fletcher stumbled upon The Rescue Mission , an organization which provides meals, shelter, and recovery programs for the less fortunate in Northeast Indiana.

"The things that they offered me was very humbling, and the results speak for themselves. I've graduated. I'm now looking for a job. I have that inner peace I've never had before in my life," Fletcher said.

So far in 2013, The Rescue Mission is seeing more people like David come through its doors than ever before.

"At this particular time, we're serving about 11 percent more residents, but our revenue has dropped 15 percent," said Rev. Donovan Coley, the CEO of The Rescue Mission.

Rev. Coley said the mission had to become more creative to accommodate for everyone. It hasn't cut staff but instead has partnered with more businesses and churches in the community.  It's also depends on individual donations because The Rescue Mission doesn't receive any government funding.

"We have 52 beds, and at this time of the year, we probably would have around 45 men in the emergency dorm," Coley said. "We now have 69 men."

Leaders at the mission said the slow turning economy is still hurting people, but people who come to the shelter say there might be other reasons the shelter is seeing more people utilize it.

"People are having success, and I think hearsay," Fletcher said. "The word has got around to where people are hearing."

The Rescue Mission has a waiting list for its immediate, short term, and long term programs it offers. However, Coley said the organization never turns anyone away who is qualified for a program.