The Cold Weather Shelter is a collaboration of Kittitas County Churches to provide shelter to the homeless during the coldest months of the year.
SHELTER SCHEDULE
MONDAY: CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH - 507 N. PINE STREET
TUESDAY: ELLENSBURG FOURSQUARE CHURCH - 906 E. MOUNTAIN VIEW AVE
WEDNESDAY: ODD FELLOWS LODGE - 307 N. PINE STREET
THURSDAY: UNITED METHODIST - 210 N. RUBY STREET
FRIDAY: INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH - 1104 OKANOGAN STREET
SATURDAY: SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST - 415 W. 14TH AVENUE
SUNDAY: MERCER CREEK CHURCH - 1407 N. 'B' STREET
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
Volunteer training sessions will be taking place every Friday through December at 5:30pm at the First Lutheran Church (512 N. Ruby Street). If you're not sure you want to volunteer but just want to know more about it that is ok too!
AREAS TO SERVE:
There are three possible shifts to serve during operating hours of the shelter. These shifts require a minimum of three volunteers per shift.
7:00-8:00pm Screening- This role requires specialized training and screeners work on a rotation. Screeners greet the guests, ask for their compliance with shelter rules and policies, check in guests' personal items for storage during the duration of their stay.
6:45-10:00pm Hospitality- Help shelter guests settle in, hand out sleeping bags and mats, direct guests to restrooms and refreshments, serve dinner (provided by FISH), interact with guests (games, movies, conversation, etc.).
9:45pm-6:00am Overnight Supervision- You do not have to stay awake all night. Volunteers can sleep in shifts but one volunteer must be awake at any given time to do routine guest monitoring/safety checks and be available if needed. You can bring other activities with you (homework, Netflix on a mobile device, books, etc.).
5:45-7:00am Rise and Shine- Wake shelter guests and help them gather their belongings, receive and tag sleeping bags and mats for transport, serve breakfast (provided by FISH) and tidy up after guests depart.
Volunteer Training/Info. Sessions
Please come join us every Friday through December at 5:30pm at the First Lutheran Church (512 N. Ruby Street) for information and training.
If you're not sure you want to volunteer but just want to know more about it that is ok too!
If you're interested in volunteering with the shelter but cannot make the sessions then please email [email protected] and they will try and accommodate you.
SHELTER INFORMATION
The Cold Weather Shelter is open from November 18th to March 15th, 7:00pm-7:00am. The shelter is housed at a different location each night.
Guests are admitted to the shelter between the hours of 7:00pm and 8:00pm and must submit to a screening process and shelter policies.
Volunteers staff the shelter under the management of an oversight committee working in accordance with the Kittitas County Ministerial Association.
