This winter, UCAN once again operated warming centers in Douglas and Josephine County to keep unsheltered homeless folks safe during life-threatening weather. We were fortunate to have many volunteers sign up on short notice to help at the warming centers. We were also fortunate to have key community partners help with shelter operations. While winter weather was much milder this year than last, we still ensured that many homeless residents stayed healthy and warm.
In Roseburg, St. Joseph Catholic Church graciously made a large space available for our Douglas County warming center. The space included a commercial kitchen and a large area where folks could sleep. The Church also provided meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the Center was open. The Roseburg Dream Center supplied bedding materials, which could be stored when not being used in the Church. Howard Johnson’s of Roseburg cleaned bedding materials.
In Grants Pass, we were able to lease space at 1990 NW Washington Boulevard. As many homeless folks lived miles away down by the Rogue River, Josephine County Transit provided free transit to and from the warming center daily. The Josephine County Food Bank provided food so that those sheltering at the warming center could have dinner and breakfast while staying there, and then take a grab-and-go meal for the day.
We could not have operated the warming center without an amazing group of individuals who volunteered for 4-hour shifts at each center. We had 35 people go through the two-hour volunteer orientation in Roseburg. Grants Pass had 45 individuals go through the orientation. The latter group also received a training offered by HIV Alliance on the use of Naloxone and Opioid abuse.
Volunteers ranged from government representatives to those who had previously benefitted from warming center services. While volunteers were only asked to take the four-hour shifts, we had some individuals volunteer for multiple sessions on given nights. Volunteers not only helped address immediate needs, they played a critical role in making those seeking shelter feel welcomed, safe and secure.
Our volunteers even ensured that many dogs, two cats, and Ohana the duck found safety at the centers. We know that all shelter residents, including two who were wheelchair bound, and one who was taken to the Roseburg shelter after her bus left without her, found volunteers to be remarkable. We are so grateful to all the organizations and volunteers who made our warming center operations a success!
