Introduction
The Hood River Warming Shelter (HRWS) is a coalition of community members representing service providers, nonprofits, faith-based communities and local government who have come together to ensure that homeless people have shelter during extremely cold weather. The mission of the HRWS is simple: to ensure that homeless people in Hood River County have a place to sleep indoors when temperatures drop to 35 degrees or below. Although the Hood River Warming Center is chartered under the umbrella of Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM), participation is not limited to GEM member churches.
Purpose
These Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) lay out the protocols for implementing the Hood River Warming Shelter (HRWS) during extremely cold weather. HRWS is an emergency shelter for those without housing to provide them a safe and warm space in such conditions. Unsheltered persons, especially those living with medical, mental health, or addiction issues, are even more vulnerable in times of inclement weather. HRWS's purpose is to ensure as best it can that all those who need and want shelter in extremely cold weather have it. These SOP will ensure the safe and effective operation of HRWS for staff and volunteers as well as safeguarding the people we are serving.
Public and Private Stakeholder Groups
The following organizations were instrumental in creating, planning, and implementing the Hood River Warming Center program:
Local Churches:
Asbury United Methodist Church
Hope and Life Hispanic Church
Hood River Christian and Missionary Alliance
Hood River Church of the Nazarene
Hood River Valley Christian Church
Riverside Community Church
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
The Vineyard Church
Organizations:
FISH Food Bank
Faith Connection
Give Them WINGS, INC.
Gorge Ecumenical Ministries
Hood River County Schools
Hood River County Sheriff's Dept.
KBNO Hispanic Radio
Providence HR Memorial Hospital
Hood River Commission on Children & Families
OBJECTIVE
When the temperature reaches 35 degrees or below, we will provide the homeless in our community with warm and safe overnight accommodation and nourishment within a quiet and welcoming atmosphere.
GUIDING PRINCIPALS
Our guests are to be treated with dignity and respect.
Our organizational principles will be as simple and non-bureaucratic as possible, consistent with a "welcoming atmosphere."
We welcome community involvement.
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
Our guests are to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Consistent with that overriding emphasis is the importance of respecting the right to privacy and confidentiality of our guests. If we succeed in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere it is possible that our guests will share with some of us their hurts and personal stories. It is our commitment that any such information be kept confidential.
