Clark County’s winter weather shelters are now open at several area churches.
The county’s Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) and the Satellite Overflow Shelters (SOS) are open seven nights per week for people in need of emergency shelter, a news release stated. The WHO site at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, at 5607 NE Gher Road in Vancouver, serves families, single women and couples, while the WHO site at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St. in Vancouver, serves single men.
The SOS shelters are on a regular rotation between Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 12513 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; Immanuel Lutheran Church, 8310 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver; and River City Church, 2400 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, the release stated. They welcome families, couples and single people.
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, at 716 Washougal River Road in Washougal, and ReFuel Washougal combine to offer shelter and food in Washougal, the release stated. Living Hope Church, at 2711 NE Andresen Road, Vancouver, operates a walk-in shelter during severe weather.
“For those living outside, winter can be a particularly harsh experience,” the release stated. “In Clark County, communities of faith collaborate with local agencies that address homelessness to create additional safe overnight shelters for people who are unhoused.”
Clara Johnson, the coordinated outreach director of the Council for the Homeless, said emergency shelters are lifesaving. Johnson noted the ultimate goal is for each person and family to have a permanent place to live.
“In addition to meeting the guests’ urgent needs, the sites work within the homeless response system to ensure the guests receive the breadth of housing and supportive services our community provides,” Johnson stated in the release.
The shelter spaces are accessed through the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677. People in need of shelter can call the housing hotline from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
“Having the Housing Hotline open until 8 p.m. seven nights per week gives people more time to call for shelter,” Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline Manager Madeline Klemz stated in the release. “Some people are unable to call during regular business hours and they need the after 5 p.m. option.”
The council is also hosting a “be a winter shelter volunteer” webinar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17. The webinar will outline the ways volunteers can contribute to the WHO and SOS efforts.
Registration is required for the free hour-long webinar at us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pYaSaLqmRjCobn_pg7F_0A.
