The Snoqualmie Valley Winter Shelter has begun serving guests under the age of 18 nightly, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Young people can now come into the shelter, for a hot meal, access emergency clothing, and to learn about services available to teens.

Because of licensing restrictions and liability issues, unaccompanied minors are not allowed to spend the night in the shelter.

Volunteers will be onsite every night to provide outreach services, including putting young people in touch with the Safe Place coordinator who can get them into an appropriate shelter.

The shelter staff is obligated to contact a minor’s parents or police if they find out the youth is a reported runaway, and to contact Child Protective Services if they have any suspicion of abuse or neglect.

The shelter is currently located at Snoqualmie United Methodist Church but moving to Mount Si Lutheran Church in North Bend Jan. 18.

Learn more at http://www.valleyrenewalcenter.com.