Clark County partners collaborate to expand winter shelter services

From November through March, faith congregations and nonprofit organizations in Clark County will collaborate to expand the number of emergency shelter beds available. 

Both the Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) shelters and the Satellite Overflow Shelters (SOS) begin serving the community this month.

There are currently just under 400 year-round shelter beds in Clark County. The WHO and SOS partners combine to add over 100 overnight beds seven days per week. 

To access the Winter Hospitality Overflow or the Satellite Overflow Shelters, call the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

The Winter Hospitality Overflow sites are:

• St. Andrew Lutheran Church serving families, couples and single women
• St. Paul Lutheran Church serving single men

The Satellite Overflow Shelters serve singles, couples and families at:

• Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
• Immanuel Lutheran Church
• River City Church

Other shelter locations include: 

• Living Hope Church (provides walk-in overnight shelter during extreme weather events)
• ReFuel Washougal and St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washougal (provides walk-in overnight shelter during extreme weather events)

 Winter overnight shelters provide a safe and warm location that allows people to escape the cold, dark, and wet weather. Shelter volunteers also offer hospitality, a meal, hygiene items, and connections to local resources. 

“We believe it is an honor to welcome people into our building, provide a hot meal, and hospitality,” said Cheryl Pfaff of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. “All of the shelter partners do this year after year because we know it makes a difference in the lives of families and individuals in our community.”

Staff from Outsiders Inn and Share are on hand to ensure operations run smoothly and that both guests and volunteers have what they need for a positive experience.

To volunteer or to provide meals or supplies, visit councilforthehomeless.org/winter-shelter-volunteering/

To contribute money to the Winter Hospitality Overflow, visit app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CouncilfortheHomeless/Whogiving.html

To contribute money to support the Satellite Overflow Shelters, visit councilforthehomeless.org/donate-online/ and designate SOS in the comments section.

The Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for homeless services delivered through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County.