The Regional Health Plan clearly identifies the needs of the unsheltered in Central Oregon. Our guests face significant social barriers, and many suffer from chronic health issues. Many abuse drugs or alcohol, which renders the process to improved health and self-sufficiency even more difficult and complex.
Each winter in Central Oregon, the afflictions and dislocation of homelessness become life-threatening. Each winter, the inability to go home at night to a warm and safe indoor place to sleep means the real possibility of freezing to death in low temperatures and winter storm conditions. Moreover, the wear-and-tear of ongoing winter conditions escalates the consequences of year-round afflictions such as hunger, chronic poor health and mental illness. Redmond Winter Shelter (RWS) for the homeless is critical given these health issues. Without RWS, there is no place in the Redmond area that provides winter shelter and alleviates the foregoing needs. RWS provides this essential shelter and direct services to the unsheltered and hungry who struggle to access local services.
The hope is always to end homelessness by providing the unsheltered with affordable housing and necessary supportive services. However, the reality is that the people we serve have significant social, economic and personal obstacles to address.
RWS has been providing shelter and care for 6 years. When we started, we served about 10 people per night, and we learned a lot of lessons we have now developed into best practices. In 2021, we are planning to serve as many as 25 or 30 per night (about 150 unique individuals this winter). We have the experience and support of the local communities to provide this vital service. The endurance of RWS and its growing connection to guests creates an opportunity for further inroads, but what is really needed is a permanent shelter and community that does not have to close at season's end.
From a COVID positive guest who was able to quarantine within the shelter because no more isolation motel rooms were available: "Thank you -- I am too sick to be out there." This guest eventually recovered and was connected through Central Oregon Veterans Outreach and Deschutes County Behavioral Health to a housing opportunity that included ongoing mental health assistance.
-
- The plan is to be open nightly to benefit both the homeless population by providing stability, connection and direct services. We believe the ability to open every night will allow us to protect or save more lives this winter season. We also believe that the continuity of a seven nights per week shelter will increase the connection with shelter guests, help build trust and serve as a foundation for further services. Every night the shelter is open gives those in need safety and will save lives and enable them to connect to caring people and other community services and resources.
- The project was implemented by Shepherd’s House Ministries.
-
The project attempted to:- Provide individuals with a safe and warm place to stay.
- From Nov 15, 2020 - Mar 15, 2021, RWS we will provide shelter, meals, and support to 25 unsheltered people a night (about 150 unique people total) to help them survive on cold nights, access resources, and see 20% safely transition off the streets
- Help each person to access needed services, to see improved mental health, and to access employment and housing.
- Provide nutrition, warm clothing, and hygiene supplies to each person
Redmond Winter Shelter (RWS) achieved an unprecedented level of service in its 124 night season: 2485 service sign-ins (97% were for overnight stays); 132 unique individuals served; over 2800 warm meals served and over 2000 breakfast bags provided
RWS served at this much higher level because it won the trust of its guests in need by opening its doors every night. This commitment also revealed that the need for shelter in Redmond is by no means diminishing. The numbers could have been even higher had the winter been more severe.
-
- RWS succeeded in aiding guests throughout the winter and supplying them with the resources they need to stay safe. RWS perceives that the increase of its service from season to season succeeds in educating about who homeless persons really are, how we can help them, and what is the value for everyone in alleviating the hardships of being homeless.
- One challenge was the need to practice COVID distancing limited the amount of volunteer and other service partner connection that has been growing season by season at RWS. Social interaction between numerous community volunteers and RWS guests, both inside and outside the shelter, was significantly decreased because of COVID restrictions and risks. Linkage with services and other means of care by providing transportation to guests, a common activity in past years, was not achievable this season because of the risk factors involved. To offset these circumstances, a solid core of experienced, committed volunteers formed teams to personally serve meals and provide encouragement to our guests. Also, telephone consultations with relevant service partners were used to focus on special needs of particular guests, especially those with recurring mental health issues.
- Severe mental health issues of guests and other potential guests among the homeless population continue to pose deep challenges. A very difficult aspect of low barrier shelters is when these issues and related conduct keep potential guests out of shelter through no conscious fault of their own. Shepherd's House is exploring how to create a regular, consistently available mental health component to low barrier shelter, including RWS.
Redmond Winter Shelter (RWS) served at this much higher level because it won the trust of its guests in need by opening its doors every night.
RWS' commitment to being open every night successfully elicited generous and deeply interested support from grantors, donors, churches, and individual volunteers.
RWS succeeded in helping its guests to survive the winter. Based on observation, guests overall seemed at least as healthy at season's end as they were at its start.