By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Winter overnight shelters have been operating in St. Joseph since early January, but some late challenges are forcing changes to the shelter for women.
United Way of Greater St. Joseph President Kylee Strough says the shelter for women operated by Community Action Partnership originally opened at the Salvation Army's gymnasium.
But Strough says the shelter has faced challenges, such as a lack of volunteers and fewer women coming into the shelter.
"Community Action Partnership, United Way and the other partners around the table agreed that it would be best to not offer shelter at the Salvation Army gym anymore," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, "but, instead, encourage people seeking shelter to call the Community Action Partnership's emergency shelter line which is 816-689-0150."
Strough says that number will connect women in need with someone within Community Action Partnership who will work to find the individual shelter at a local lodging.
The Community Missions Corps operates the men’s shelter.
Strough says the number of people taking advantage of the shelters fluctuates with the weather.
"At the shelter for women, we really didn't see the numbers change much throughout the whole time, whether it was cold or not," Strough says. "At the shelter for men, I do think that they have seen those numbers rise just a little bit, and get on the very high side of those 20 to 22 men on the nights when it's been the coldest."
Strough says both the overnight women’s and men’s shelters, which opened early last month, will operate through the end of the month.
"Right now, we're saying operating through the end of February, but we'll continue to re-evaluate toward the middle to end of February,” Strough says. "And we'll look at a combination of what does the future weather forecast looks like, what other alternatives are available, and how many people may still be seeking shelter."
Strough says she thinks her team has a pretty good idea of how long the winter weather will be in St. Joseph.
But, Strough says, "living in Missouri, we know it can be here a lot longer."
Strough advises women seeking a place to stay overnight to call the Community Action Partnership emergency shelter line at 816-689-0150.
The United Way of Greater St. Joseph issued this list of how the shelters will operate going forward:
Cold Weather Emergency Shelter for Women, effective Jan. 31:
- Emergency sheltering will be managed by Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph in partnership with local lodging providers.
- Guests seeking shelter should call Community Action Partnership’s Emergency Shelter line at 816-689-0150.
- Guests will be connected with a member of Community Action Partnership’s Community Health Worker Team for intake and to help develop a longer-term housing plan.
- This model will be operational until further notice.
While this new model does not require community volunteers to be operational, please know that we are deeply grateful to the more than 20 community members who volunteered overnight and helped the Cold Weather Emergency Shelter for Women operate since Jan. 4.
The shelter for men will continue to operate as planned. Cold Weather Emergency Shelter for Men:
- Operated and managed by Community Missions Corp.
- Will open at 5 p.m. nightly and operate until approximately Feb. 28.
- Guests seeking shelter should show up at 5 p.m. at 700 Olive St., on the campus of Community Missions Corp.
- An evening meal will be served.
- Guests will be connected with a member of Community Missions Corp. Outreach Team, if not already connected to a case worker, to help develop a longer-term housing plan.
- Volunteers and organizations are needed to prepare a nightly meal for the men at Juda House, Haven and the Emergency Shelter.
- Approximately 50 meals are served a night during the winter months.
- You can sign up to volunteer to prepare meals by registering HERE.