POINT PLEASANT — It is often said that the world would be a better place if everyone would learn to help others.

And Sheila Carlisle, coordinator of the Mason County Shelter, believes that helping those in need is very important. Carlisle has been the shelter coordinator for the past two years and has been involved with the shelter for 10 years.

According to Carlisle, she has always enjoyed helping others.

“Even as a little kid I always took in animals. I think God just puts you where he wants you. I do not have an answer to why I (help others),” she said.

Carlisle described her job as being very interesting. However, she said that the most fascinating part of her job is getting to see how people from different walks of life can have many similarities.

“It is interesting to see everyday that no matter what kind of walk of life you come from our basic needs are the same — people are people,” she added.

For Carlisle, the best part of her job is getting to help people as well as watch those that she has helped become successful in society.

“My favorite thing is helping people that genuinely need and accept your health and then watching them improve,” she said.

Carlisle added that the success stories she has witnessed are part of her fondest memories on the job.

“There are a lot of memories here. But when people do come in and they are genuine and they really want your help and accept that help and do the things they need to do is good. It is always exciting when people (we’ve helped) do get their own home or apartment,” she said.

Although Carlisle enjoys her job, she did describe seeing others leave the shelter before they have reached their goals as being difficult. However, she emphasized that the shelter has experienced a tremendous amount of success stories, which is why she continues to appreciate the job.

“Out of the majority of cases we do have success here. There is no such thing as a small positive thing. All positive things are huge, even if it is learning how to make a meal or budgeting money,” she said.

Carlisle added that the shelter helps others with a variety of basic living skills as well as serves as a network to other services, such as housing. In addition, the shelter has helped residents obtain their GED’s by working with the Mason County Career Center.

“We are the donut hole for the community. We know so many that can help. There are some pretty good services in the area,” Carlisle said.

In addition, Carlisle described the shelter as a network for people that need help. For example, Carlisle said that she recently spoke with an army recruiter as an effort to help someone.

“We are a networker for people in need. We help them to go out on their own and be successful. If it does not happen, they can come back and start over again,” she said.

According to Carlisle, the Mason County Shelter is open 24 hours a day and provides a variety of services including a soup kitchen, which also is open 24 hours a day. In addition, the shelter can help people with their utilities and rent costs. Overall, Carlisle stressed that the shelter was more than just a place to stay overnight, and described the facility as a guiding tool.

“We are a support system 24 hours a day. We are the only agency open 24 hours a day except the hospital,” she said.

Aside from her regular responsibilities, Carlisle is currently planning for National Homelessness Awareness Week, which is slated for Nov. 15-21. According to Carlisle, purple is the color of National Homelessness Awareness Week, and the Four Seasons will be donating purple bows to the shelter. The Four Seasons also will donate orange bows as an effort to tie in hunger awareness with the homelessness awareness week promotion, Carlisle said. The bows will then be taken to various businesses around the county to promote the cause.

Carlisle encouraged others to promote the cause as well as to always do the right thing.

“We can help others as well as help ourselves,” she said.

This is certainly one piece of advice that Carlisle has applied to her own life as she continues to help others become successful citizens of society.

(If you know someone who could be a potential candidate for an upcoming “Day in the Life” feature, e-mail his or her name and contact information to mdrnews@mydailyregister.com or call 304-675-1333.)

FAST FACTS

Name: Sheila Carlisle

Age: 51

Hobbies: riding bikes, walking