We're Joining Missoula Churches to Provide Emergency 'Cold Weather' Housing
We’re Joining Missoula Churches to Provide Emergency ‘Cold Weather’ Housing
Interested in volunteering?
Late this fall, Missoula’s First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church asked Holy Spirit to join with them and three other faith communities to provide simple overnight housing for unhoused people when winter temperatures hit 10 degrees or below.
If you remember Bishop Marty’s words to us that “children of God are called to shine,” what’s coming next won’t be a surprise. We are called to do what we can to help others in our community with what we can offer.
We said yes, we can help. We can try. So for two weeks this winter, Holy Spirit will be an overflow sleeping site for up to 20 people on the coldest nights when the Poverello does not have room. Our two weeks are Feb 1-7 and Feb 22-28. This is part of a six-church effort with Missoula Interfaith Cooperative, the city of Missoula, and the Poverello, with each church offering overflow housing for two weeks. Both First United Methodist and First Presbyterian participated last year and found it a positive experience.
Our housing role kicks in only if the overnight temps drop to 10 degrees or colder. MIC provides two trained staff for the overnight hours, transportation and insurance for the program. The POV provides screening, mats and blankets. We provide a warm place to sleep – the Parish Hall. People will arrive at 8 p.m. and leave at 8 a.m. Those staying with us will have been okayed by the POV, which doesn’t allow use of drugs or alcohol. The MIC staff will clean our spaces each morning.
For our “on” weeks, we are looking for several volunteers from our parish to meet and welcome people when they arrive in the evening at 8 pm. Volunteers can expect to be on site for 30-45 minutes. Rev. Terri and Rev. Gretchen will take turns being present in the morning – making coffee, setting out simple breakfast items and making sure things are okay. We also need several volunteers to help out with Gretchen and Terri in the mornings. Is evening welcome or help at breakfast something you feel called to do? Let the office know.
In deciding to do this, Vestry members thought carefully about our capacity and consulted with staff. While other churches are able to take on up to 40 people, we decided our bathroom facilities would only work for a smaller number.
Before our first week on duty, we’re getting ready. At the request of the Montessori school that rents space from us, we are adding locks to make sure their environment is not disturbed. Our kitchen will be secured. But, chiefly, we are trusting the MIC staff to protect the well-being of our space and the people making use of it. We’ll be defining our “house rules” so that everyone is clear on what we expect. If there are significant problems, we will step out of this program.
The Vestry and our clergy hope you will support this short-term gift of warm space to people who need it this winter. It might not be easy. It might not be our preference. But extending this help at this time seems within our reach.
Please talk with any Vestry member, Terri or Gretchen with questions or concerns. If you can be part of our small volunteer team, let us know.