Letter | Winter Shelter awaits city permit
Published 3:44 pm Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Since December of 2012, the Snoqualmie Valley Winter Shelter has been successful in providing shelter, sustenance, emotional support and social services to our most vulnerable population. We have moved numerous men, women and families out of homelessness.
For the first leg of this year’s shelter season, we were housed at Mount Si Lutheran Church. Due to commitments made to the church and the surrounding neighborhood, it was not an option to continue at that location past Monday, Feb. 2. While we had planned to move directly to Snoqualmie United Methodist Church, the permitting process is taking longer than expected. As we await permit approval through the city of Snoqualmie, we are without any overnight shelter services. This down-time is devastating to our progress those we serve.
In an attempt to continue providing outreach, Snoqualmie United Methodist Church is hosting nightly community meals from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. This allows us to provide basic human services while continuing the bond we’ve built thus far. Upon permit approval from the city of Snoqualmie, it is our plan to house our overnight shelter at Snoqualmie United Methodist Church for a period of 45 days. We have reached out to local churches in the hopes that someone will house us in the interim.
We are working with the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce to schedule a meeting with downtown business owners. Some business owners did attend the January 21 public meeting, but we want to make sure that all downtown merchants are heard and we welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have.
What can community members do in the meantime?
Consider providing and sharing dinner at the community meals: valleyrenewalcenter.com/provide-a-meal;
Send e-mail to local officials in support of the shelter, Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, and all members of both city councils: ci.snoqualmie.wa.us and northbendwa.gov.
Join our mailing list: valleyrenewalcenter.com.
We are so grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who have made this program possible. As a community, we need to work together for the safety and well-being of all members of our society, housed and unhoused alike. Shame and isolation only perpetuate the problem and create deeper issues that affect our entire society. Please partner with us in offering hope and restoration to those experiencing homelessness.
Jennifer Kirk, Director
Snoqualmie Valley Winter Shelter
