Peoria shelter for homeless families to operate 24/7

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois homeless shelter is opening to homeless families 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Peoria Journal-Star reports Dream Center Peoria will expand its services Monday beyond its previous hours, which were 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Executive Director Andy King says Dream Center is open to women, children and parenting fathers. He says there are typically 25 to 65 people staying in the family shelter in Peoria, and the average age of people staying there is 9 years old.

King says "Kids need to find hope."

The shelter was able to expand hours with help from the community because federal grants don't cover the cost.

Last year the Salvation Army closed its Peoria drop-in center for homeless people due to a lack of government funds.

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Information from: Journal Star, http://pjstar.com