Homeless shelter remains open 24 hours during bitter cold

MILWAUKEE -- Frigid temperatures are tough on everyone. But it gets to be a life-and-death situation for the homeless. That's why some shelters in southeast Wisconsin are extending their hours and offering extra provisions to those in need.

MacCanon Brown is the executive director and co-founder of Repairers of the Breach. She says the facility is normally a refuge for people seeking shelter during the day. But it is temporarily turned into a 24-hour emergency warming room.

"Whenever its 10 degrees wind chill or below we automatically go into this mode," said Brown.

The facility can accommodate about 50 people per night. Many shelters across Milwaukee are providing similar resources.

At the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, there's plenty of room as well. Many of the temporary residents are thankful for the reprieve from the bitter cold.

"I'm really grateful we have this place. Without, I don`t know where we would be," said Keyainna Burchette.

Burchette has been at the shelter for a majority of the winter. She says she couldn't fathom braving the cold with her three young children.

"They whine all the time about being cold, so I make sure they're bundled up," said Burchette.

As temperatures dip, Chuck Schumacher urges protective measures for anyone who is in need.

"We don't want anyone to freeze to death. This is certainly the kind of weather, this can happen. So we encourage anyone who is homeless and have not place to go to come there," said Schumacher.

The shelters helping the needy do so much for people, they often need a little help too. They're always in need of financial donations, clothing, food, even volunteers.