Kirk Eidem sits on a cot, strumming his guitar, in a small cubicle in the Peaceful Knights shelter, housed in a former plumbing supply store on First Street in Lehighton.

Eidem, 23, is homeless due to a series of small but admittedly "stupid" decisions, and fallings-out with family.A facilities maintenance worker by trade, Eidem grew up in Packerton, and last lived with his mother in State College. But he lost his job, and then in November, his mother was evicted from her home, he says.Eidem walked and hitched rides back to Lehighton, where he stayed with his sister. But that, too, ended.Another sister, who had no room to house him, found Peaceful Knights.How does Eidem spend his days?"Looking for work," he says.Eidem is among four men being sheltered by Peaceful Knights at its new headquarters at 155 N. First St.The shelterThe shelter, which opened about a week ago, has room for 10 men, says director Bob Fatzinger. There isn't enough room to provide separate quarters for women.Eventually, the organization hopes to establish an emergency shelter in the downstairs of the building.Walking through the front doors brings one into a cozy living room, with comfy donated chairs and a flat-screen television. Curtained shelves filled with toiletries, household supplies and clothing line two walls.In the back is a kitchen, large and spare. The men, all of whom receive food stamps, buy and prepare their own meals, Fatzinger says.The other half of the building houses the office and a series of small partitioned doorless spaces, just big enough for a bed and a plastic storage bin for belongings.There's a washer and dryer, and a bathroom.The walls are decorated with inspirational quotes from the Bible.Daily life,hope and goalsHomeless men are screened for drug and alcohol use, subjected to a background check, and interviewed before being admitted for stays of up to 90 days."I will not take an active addict or actively drinking person," Fatzinger says. "They must be clean and sober."If a urine test reveals substance abuse, the person is steered to a detox center or to Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol.Once cleared for entry, the men are required to spend 30 hours a week activity seeking employment in addition to the required 10 hours of volunteer work."That's their job, to find a job," Fatzinger says.For those without transportation, Peaceful Knights provides bicycles.Eidem prefers pounding the pavement and knocking on doors. The efforts are paying off: he has several interviews lined up."I walk between 8 to 12 miles every day. I fill out applications," Eidem says."It's looking good, thank God," he says.The foundationChristianity forms the backbone of Peaceful Knights, Fatzinger says."We don't push the Gospel," Fatzinger says. "But we proclaim the Gospel."Clients not only find "solace and comfort, but for some, a lifelong commitment to the church of Christ," he says.Along with the work and volunteer requirements, clients must respect the shelter's strict structure and rules.The volunteer work, at this point, means painting and refurbishing the former plumbing store as it transforms into a temporary home."There is a lot of stuff that needs to be done," Fatzinger says.The volunteer work not only keeps clients busy with positive work, but also helps defray the shelter's costs.Peaceful Knights, founded in 2009 by Lehighton businesswoman Aggie Shehadeh, had previously housed homeless people in apartments scattered around the borough. But having the headquarters and shelter in one central location makes more sense financially for an organization that depends entirely upon donations.Fatzinger says the organization, which hopes to purchase the rented building, has yet to determine an annual budget for its new space. As the year goes on, they'll determine heating, electric and maintenance costs."It's a matter of stepping out in faith, believing God is going to provide," Fatzinger says."We do some fundraising, but we are literally dependent on peoples' monetary gifts, as well as their time and talents," he says.Area businesses, from plumbing to electricians, have pitched in with time, skills and materials. Toiletries, clothing and supplies are also donated.For Eidem, Peaceful Knights is a Godsend."It's a good program, if you're willing to put in the effort and the work, to get you back on your feet," Eidem says."It'll get you where you need to go."About Peaceful KnightsHeadquarters: 155 N. First St., LehightonContact: 610-340-4786Founded: 2007Status: Christian, nonprofitPrincipal: Aggie ShehadehProvides: Temporary housing for homeless adults; help with food, clothing and personal items; peer counseling to help develop better spending habits, job search skills and life structure.