Courtney tours New London shelter

WTNH TV

Tina Detelj

Updated: Jan 17, 2011 7:09 PM

At the Covenant Shelter in New London men, women, and families are given a warm and safe place to stay, especially this time of year, and today inside they were also given another unique opportunity.

Congressman Joe Courtney took a tour of the New London shelter, which is now at full capacity. A need not lost on the congressman, who was at the shelter to see how federal funding is being used.

"It's a very competitive environment, and I think having these real life anecdotal experiences I think really helps make the argurment," Congressman Courtney said.

Nutrition and other programs provide meals and shelter for as many as 35 people each day, putting a face to the funding.

"It's really important that the congressman have a sense of this of what goes on and how well used those dollars are spent to really make a difference," Catherine Foley from the Covenant Shelter said.

Foley hopes that Congressman Courtney will take this experience back with him to Washington for future votes.

"Could you use more money? Oh most definitely every place could we really do an awful lot with very little," said Foley.

Not only was this an opportunity for the folks who run this shelter to talk to the congressman, but also the people who live in the rooms. The five familes, the men, the women, all who now call this home.

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