Special Report: New Hope for Homeless in Racine

A Racine pastor is taking in those with no-where else to go at an unusual location.

John Nash a nine time felon has been in out of prison since he was a teenager.

“I know where I came from and where I came from is no life,” Nash said.

Still-that past played a role in his future: when he moved to Racine for a fresh start his criminal record was the reason he was turned down by nearly every shelter.

Most Racine shelters have restrictions, and will turn away those with lengthy criminal backgrounds or those who struggle with addiction.

Discouraged, freezing and with no-where to go-john considered going back to his life of crime.

 “This new shelter on MLK JR. drive was started by the surge group would take John and any other criminal or addict with the exception of sex offenders,” said Pastor Holly Anderle.

It is open from 7pm to 7am. The homeless will also be able to catch some sleep.

 They plan to open this summer and while Pastor Holly understands the risk her success running a warming shelter earlier this year gives her hope that a little love and care-can change lives.

“Most of us have done things that we regret in the past. We wouldn’t want that held over our heads,” said Pastor Holly.

 John couldn’t agree more-now living at the knights inn through a voucher program, he's held down a job at Piggly Wiggly for two months-and plans to move out on his own-thanks to the help he got from the surge group.

“You surround yourself w good people w people willing to help, yeah you can change. It’s in you,” said John.