devra edelmarn and john scott who was formally homeless. devra, thank you so much for being here. the center is very popular it provides such an important service but you have a waiting list, right? >> yes, there is a currently list of about 170 families that are waiting to get into shelter at any one time. >> how many do you serve? >> we serve an average 50 families every night. our emergency center and hamilton center and shelter services. >> reporter: so the need is enormous? >> yes, it isnor us. >> and we have seen a drastic increase in last three years. in 2008, there was 68 families and one year that number inceases creased to over 200. >> reporter: with the recession is over but you are not seeing that. >> most of the families we are seeing are experiencing homelessness for the first time. >> reporter: john you had a great job for a long time, tell me about that. >> i was working for the federal government as a revenue officer. i got sick and lost my job. i. she was ten at the time. >> you had to rely on strangers at the time? >> yes, i did. i received an ultimate made up a