Leading up to inclement weather, Community Wellness Collective received the brochure from Encompass Yamhill Valley and realized there were no day-time shelter locations for the weekend of anticipated harsh weather earlier this month.
Within 24-hours, CWC developed a plan in partnership with 2nd Street Drop-In Center, Northside Community Church, local restaurants, and community volunteers to open 24-hours a day through the drop-in center site for the daytime and Northside Community Church for the nighttime.
During the dates of Jan. 12-16, CWC operated and staffed 24 hours a day, serving 102 people during the day and 72 people overnight, ages ranging from 7 years old to 86 years old. It is important to note that CWC is not funded for inclement weather support, but we felt it necessary to respond to an emergency weather event.
We fully understand the complexity and difficulty that comes about with offering services that unfortunately often become politicized. That said, our board’s position has been and will continue to be that when accepting government funding, you also bare accountability to questioning, and authentic conversations with citizens around the accessibility and urgency of services you are entrusted to provide.