‘A huge game-changer’: Shepherd’s House holds grand opening, ribbon-cutting for new Redmond shelter
(Update: Adding video, comments from Shepherd's House Ministries)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Shepherd's House Ministries has completed their latest shelter building in Redmond, the Redmond Center, and and held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening Thursday, inviting the public to the event.
The first permanent low-barrier shelter in the city is on South Highway 97 at Veterans Way, and will be able to serve up to 46 people overnight.
"My favorite part is seeing that people don't just want to be observers or distant supporters, that they want to be in the middle of it with us," John Lodise, director of low-barrier Service at Shepherd's House, told us Thursday.
The shelter has plans next year to become a 24/7 service shelter.
"We have a very large, very productive kitchen. We have showers that are available every night. We have guest laundry -- and that's an important part. The laundry is not for operational purposes, the laundry is for guest laundry," Lodise said.
Prior to the new location, Shepherd's House offered shelter services during the winter in Redmond churches, with volunteers. By March, most people using the emergency services would have to find another place to stay.
"Having this building is a huge game-changer, because now that will no longer happen" Lodise said. "When somebody comes through the door and needs our help, they will get some immediate basic needs that will provide them much-needed relief."
According to the 2023 Point In Time Count, the city of Redmond had 262 people experiencing homelessness as of January 24th.
That's more than double the figure of 127 recorded in 2022.
Lodise explained, "That's a significant number, because there is a lot of transition from town to town amongst the Central Oregon houseless population."
We've previously reported on a homeless camp of about 40 people near the Redmond Airport that caused concerns for the FAA about the Runway Protection Zone.
The opening of the new Shepherd's House comes just a few weeks after Redmond's Bethlehem Inn, a high-barrier shelter, announced it's closing until January for maintenance upgrades.
"We need to form a good, healthy partnership with all of the community of Redmond, so that they feel we're serving them," Lodise said. "(So) that they also appreciate the way we help people who are the neediest."
While the ribbon-cutting and grand opening took place Thursday, the Redmond Shepherd's House won't open for service until Wednesday, November 15th.
For further information, contact John Lodise at JohnL@shministries.org or their website at shministries.org.
About Shepherd's House Ministries:
Shepherd's House Ministries is a non-profit organization committed to providing shelter, meals, and wrap-around services, including counseling, support services, and long-term recovery programs to individuals facing homelessness in Central Oregon. Our mission is to offer hope, healing, restoration, and grace to those in need, empowering them to regain independence and life transformation.
