On January 6, 2015, the Steering Committee for the Emergency Family Shelter, which includes Project Specialist Jason Greenly and Neighborhood Programs Manager Kerri Spear, met to discuss progress made on rehabilitation work being done to the identified building site. Rehabilitation includes a roof replacement, asbestos inspections, and some other minor repair needed before opening. The Steering Committee is now in a position to begin crafting an RFP in order to staff the new site, and will spend January working on this.
This represents a significant step forward in this effort. Two pilot programs were conducted over the winter months of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to demonstrate the need in our community. The new site – intended to have 8 units (+ 1 office space for a staff member) – will not fully address the need in our community, but will be the first year-round emergency shelter in the area.
Families currently in need of shelter this winter have the option of utilizing the community’s separate sources for shelter (women, men, children) or, if the weather is below zero, utilizing the volunteer-run emergency shelter. For more information on this, please contact the United Way.