Plan is to serve those unsheltered this fall and winter
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
Volunteers are needed to help with the cold shelter this winter, and donations are also requested.
All cold shelter volunteers and staff will be required to attend a training at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Hazel’s House of Hope, 20 Scott Ave. All volunteers are asked to bring a schedule of availability with them. The shelter will operate day and night when temperatures are below 40 degrees.
The cold shelter is in need of:
- Volunteers to work at the shelter during the day and night
- Volunteers to help with transportation of the unsheltered to the facility
- Hotel-sized soaps, shampoos, conditioner and lotions
- Disposable razors
- Feminine hygiene products
- Healthy, individual-sized snacks and drinks
Donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday at the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties’ office or at Helpful Harvest Food Program, which is on the right side of Hazel’s House of Hope.
The cold shelter was developed and implemented by Bartlett Housing Solutions, Milan Puskar Health Right, Morgantown Community Resources Inc., Salvation Army and the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties. The plan is to serve those who are unsheltered this fall and winter.
Bartlett Housing Solutions’ Emergency Shelter on Scott Avenue is open every night from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. It can serve
28 individuals each night regardless of the weather and temperature. If the temperature is 40 degrees or below, the emergency shelter will operate 24/7 with intakes at 8 p.m. When the shelter is at capacity, space will be provided on the bottom floor. Handicapped bathrooms and shower facilities will be accessible.
A paid staff person will be in charge when the cold shelter is operating. At least one or two volunteers are needed when the cold shelter is open. The volunteer training will be provided by Caitlyn Sussman and the team at Milan Puskar Health Right.
The cold shelter will operate under the guidance and rules implemented at Bartlett Housing Solutions. All people staying at the cold shelter will be registered with the Homeless Information Management System to insure they will be provided services if they are interested in housing.
Transportation will be provided from Mountain Line Transit to the cold shelter until 8 p.m. daily. Bus passes will be provided free of charge. Volunteers may be needed to help transport people in need who cannot take or miss the bus. Friendship House staff will also work extended hours to get people to the shelter if the bus is not an option.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
