Dear Bethlehem Press,

I am the Chair of the Board of Directors for Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering. I have read with interest the recent articles in the Morning Call [Nov. 14] and your article in the Bethlehem Press that came to our home [Nov. 15]. Obviously, Mr. Louis James has been very busy and expressive regarding his opinions about BES. May I make a rebuttal.

Please know that BES has successfully and professionally provided emergency winter shelter for our homeless neighbors, both men and women, for 10 years. Last year and this coming season we are housed at Christ United Church of Christ. Mr. James has expressed opinions at city council and been quoted in the articles I have referred to above some alarming inaccuracies, especially that the “incidents of noise, harassment, exposure, drug use, littering, and public defecation became common”. I need to share that such cannot be further from the truth. He went on to share that “BES does not have the resources to operate the shelter as promised”. That, too, is a complete inaccuracy. Indeed, there are times our guests have acted in ways that are challenging. But, a night at the shelter is generally quiet, peaceful, and guests well behaved. When issues arise, our skilled staff and legion of volunteers respond in ways professional, caring and that will end the behaviors almost immediately. Such behaviors are hardly common. In fact, I am at a loss as to how he came to that understanding. Most incidents of concern are rare. Again, a night at the shelter is a time when our homeless neighbors find a meal to eat, some quiet time to relax, and safe place to sleep provided by many people with a passion for this ministry and the resources to do it very well.

I would like to invite you to the shelter to see for yourself what we do and how well we do it. It would be very nice to see an article written of what you see and experience as you stand alongside all who make BES the outstanding organization it is, offering the much needed services to our homeless neighbors we do provide.

Sincerely,

Gary Marsh