Bend’s new warming shelter provided nearly 3,500 bed nights
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- While most winter warming shelters in the region closed their doors on March 15, NeighborImpact extended the season for the Bend shelter, keeping it open for an additional month.
The shelter served a total of 327 unique individuals over the course of the 121 nights that it was open. Ninety-seven of the shelter guests were women while 233 were men. The shelter provided 3,498 overnight stays and an additional 256 warming stays (not overnight, but meals, showers and supplies were provided). The shelter served 23 guests with disabilities and also provided warm stays for 24 pets.
The Bend warming shelter was offered in collaboration between Deschutes County Public Safety, which provided the facility; the Homeless Leadership Coalition; and NeighborImpact, which staffed the shelter and managed its day-to-day operations.
Concerns about managing the spread of coronavirus and extremely cold weather prompted the shelter's extended opening. Funding for the extension was provided by Oregon Housing and Community Services. The shelter put in place protocols for sanitation and distancing for the safety of guests and staff, and offered motel vouchers, tents, sleeping bags, tarps and propane heaters to guests considered to be the most vulnerable.
"Stepping into the Bend winter shelter administration has been an exceptional undertaking for us. The additional workload has been surpassed by the honor of being accepted into the community created by the people utilizing the winter shelter," said Molly Heiss, NeighborImpact Housing Stabilization Director. "This has been one of the most humbling experiences of my career and life."
As an essential business providing essential services to disadvantaged individuals in Central Oregon, NeighborImpact will continue to serve all three counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Those needing assistance may access services via telephone and online or in person in Bend, Redmond and Madras. For updates on NeighborImpact's response to COVID-19, visit: https://www.neighborimpact.org/coronavirus-response/.
