Cardboard signs line 6th Street in Beatrice, calling attention to a problem some say doesn't exist. Matthew Shea of Beatrice says homelessness is a real issue in his town.

"It's bigger than we first anticipated," said Matthew. "There are people sleeping under bridges."

"It's kind of a hidden don't ask don't tell issue," said Rachel Tiemann. "There are people out there who need help."

Matthew, the executive director of New Hope Commmunity Homeless Shelter knows a thing or two about being homeless. He's been there himself.

"It was traumatizing," said Matthew. "It was fearful. You know not knowing where to go where to lay your head, especially in winter. Winter is the worst time of all."

Now he wants to help others.

"Having a shelter in Beatrice would not only serve Beatrice but also the surrounding areas," said Matthew.

That means he needs money. One couple donated 2 hundred dollars to the cause.

"It's battered women forced to live in a situation because there's no place else to go," said Matthew. "Or families just stuck and having no place else to go bouncing from one house to another."

New Hope Community Shelter hopes to have its shelter up and running in the next few months.