T2Hope asks Du Quoin council to renew $900 monthly support as business owners raise safety concerns about proposed shelter

Bill, president of T2Hope, told the Du Quoin City Council on Nov. 10 that the nonprofit’s three‑year, $900‑per‑month agreement is due to expire and asked the council to renew the support to maintain vital services and help open an emergency shelter at the Chestnut location.

"By providing a low cost burden of support at $900 a month, T2Hope serves as a critical first line of defense that reduces the burden on city emergency services," Bill said, listing three years of services he said the organization provided: 3,400 hot meals, 5,300 grab‑and‑go pantry items, 800 showers, 400 laundry services and more than 1,000 clothing distributions. He said private donations have brought the group close to opening a county emergency shelter this winter.

During the public comment period, Sarah Carey, a local business owner, described an incident in late October in which a man entered her office through a side door and asked to use the bathroom. "This was a very scary situation for my female employee," Carey said, and she asked whether the proposed emergency shelter would require drug testing or offer treatment for residents.

Bill and a representative of the Perry County Counseling Center said counseling staff will be available during open hours to work with volunteers at the shelter. Bill said T2Hope intends to link residents to services but clarified that the organization does not have authority to mandate drug testing.

Doug Martin, a local branch representative for Ry Sullivan, expressed support for T2Hope and emphasized the importance of community investment and communication between businesses and service providers.

The council did not act on funding for T2Hope at this meeting; city staff said the matter is for future consideration. No shelter policies or screening procedures were adopted during the session.