In just the first seven months of this year, more than 250 people have applied for a place to stay at Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter, a facility with space for only three families at a time.
Executive Director Ayla Hargis, who leads Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter in Campbellsville, Kentucky, said the rising demand reflects how severe the homelessness crisis has become in Taylor County.
“We stay full, and we always have a waiting list,” Hargis said. “Since COVID and going forward, the homelessness in Campbellsville, Taylor County, and the surrounding counties is just astronomical.”
Founded in 2008, Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter serves as Taylor County’s only homeless shelter.
Its mission is “to be guided by God, to shelter the homeless and to provide a pathway to restoration to those in need,” Hargis said.
Inside the shelter, three private rooms house families and individuals, each with bunk beds, a queen-size bed, a small refrigerator, a closet and a bathroom. Families with children and veterans are given top priority. During the winter months, the shelter partners with Stoner Creek Methodist Church, which provides four additional rooms to meet the seasonal overflow.
Hargis said the causes of homelessness are many, and often resources for the homeless are overlooked.
“A lot of people don’t know the resources that are around that could help them,” Hargis said.
Beyond providing shelter, Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter serves as a community hub, offering emergency food and hygiene bags and hosting weekly meal programs, “Feed Me Friday” and “Fill Your Tummy Tuesday,” that provide between 100 and 150 free meals every week.
For David and Marie Bateman, current residents of the homeless shelter, the support they’ve found at Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter has been life changing. Originally from Wisconsin, David Bateman Sr. said his family relocated to Kentucky for work before he suffered a serious fall that left him with spinal injuries and unable to continue working.
“Me personally, I thought that I failed my family, and it was my health that actually failed me,” David said. “It was hard for me because I’ve always been the breadwinner. Moving with my family to a homeless shelter, I don’t think I’ve ever been that far down to the end of the rope before.”
He said one of the hardest parts has been staying strong for his children.
“Seeing the kids and trying to be strong for them while at the same time breaking on the inside,” he said. “I guess that’s the simplest way for me to say it. Just trying to be strong for them so they don’t see that something’s wrong.”
His wife, Marie, said stepping into the provider role was a natural but difficult transition.
“He was always the provider for our first 10 years of marriage,” Marie said. “When his health really started to decline, it was not a question for me to just step into that role. He’s taken care of us since even before we had our beautiful children. He’s been my hero.”
Now enrolled in culinary school, Marie said her education has given her new hope and purpose.
“Doing my education now, it’s kind of opened up a whole new pathway and a brainstorm of ideas of the things that we could do,” Marie said. “I know one of our main dreams before I even started school was actually doing a food truck, and if that’s something we pursue, I see myself being here once a month doing ‘Fill Your Tummy Tuesdays’ or ‘Feed Me Fridays’ and giving back to the community the same way they’ve given back to us.”
David smiled as he reflected on the family’s long-term dream.
“That’s our ultimate goal, a piece of land that nobody can take away from us, and a legacy that we can hand down to our kids,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing that we want to accomplish when we get out of here.”
The couple said they’ve been overwhelmed by the compassion they’ve found at Green River Ministries Homeless Shelter.
“Coming here is the first time in my life that I have seen this kind of just unbridled kindness,” David said. “It brings tears to my eyes. It’s a joy to be working here and contributing to what is done here.”
That same sense of respect and care is something his wife, Marie, has felt as well.
“They don’t make you feel guilty for being here. They don’t make you feel guilty for needing,” Marie said. “They treat you like you’re a normal person out there working a regular nine-to-five. They help pick you up.”
David described the shelter as a place that restores dignity.
“This place is not a handout, it’s a hand up,” he said. “If people use the program properly, it is a hand up.”
Despite the struggles they’ve faced, the couple said their experience in Campbellsville has renewed their faith in people.
“For the first time in my life, coming to Taylor County and Campbellsville, I feel at home,” David said. “The people here are wonderful.”
For Hargis, that sense of compassion is what keeps the mission alive.
“Everyone banding together and continuing to help whenever there’s a need,” Hargis said. “We’re very appreciative of everyone who helps us and contributes in any way, whether it be monetarily, through canned goods or clothes, or just the prayers. It’s all worth it, and it’s all needed.”
Looking ahead, Hargis said her goal is to expand Green River Ministries Homeless Shelters’ capacity to meet the growing need. The plans include adding two to three additional shelter rooms and a large multipurpose room that could be used for life skills training, sit-down meals and as a white flag shelter during dangerous weather. While plans are already underway, additional funding is needed to bring the project to life. Those wishing to help provide shelter, meals, and support to families in need can donate or get involved by contacting the shelter at (270) 465-9880 or visiting greenriverministries.org for more information.
