Well being Proper backs plan for warming shelter at Sabra United Methodist Church

MORGANTOWN — It’s fundamental and it was pulled collectively on brief discover, but it surely’s much better than the chilly. 

That was the gist of a Monday night presentation saying Milan Puskar Well being Proper has stepped ahead to be the company answerable for an emergency in a single day warming shelter to be held at Sabra United Methodist Church. 

Now organizers wish to the town and county to assist the proposal introduced to Morgantown Metropolis Council throughout Monday’s committee of the entire assembly. 

Morgantown Neighborhood Kitchen Director Jennifer Powell stated she and Dani Ludwig will function supervisors whereas Well being Proper handles fiscal administration, hiring and coaching. Sabra UMC, on Richwood Avenue, will host and insure the shelter operations. 

“We’ve a proposal for the shelter that’s affordable and possible on brief discover, protecting prices as little as doable,” Powell stated. “The shelter will present fundamental short-term safety from inclement climate by the winter months for 13 hours throughout the night time.” 

If applied, the shelter will function from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Dec. 1 to March 15. 

It is not going to embrace companies obtainable at Hazel’s Home of Hope, like showers and a feeding program. It is going to be open to adults solely. Households will likely be referred to the Morgantown RAMP Resort Program. 

Drug and alcohol use is not going to be permitted.

“There will likely be steady monitoring of the principle fitness center space by workers members with lavatory use monitored always. No less than two workers members will likely be current on the premises throughout the hours of operation,” Powell defined.

Capability is estimated to be 40 people. 

The group is seeking to increase $70,000, which is half the price range of final winter’s warming shelter held at HHH.  

Thus far, the town has already dedicated $30,000 to again an emergency shelter. The county has put in $10,000. 

Whereas the warming shelter situation has been looming since final March, up till Monday’s announcement there had been no company keen to take it on and no facility keen to accommodate it. 

“We requested to be the company of final resort, and apparently we’re the final resort,” Milan Puskar Well being Proper Government Director Laura Jones stated. “However all of us at Well being Proper really feel strongly that now we have to come back collectively to have some sort of shelter for people this winter. So, we’re keen to do no matter we are able to do to assist make is profitable.” 

Jones stated Well being Proper will dedicate grant-funded outreach personnel on a restricted foundation and can work with MUSHROOM, WVU Medication’s unsheltered homeless outreach program, to offer well being care as wanted. 

Final week, Bartlett Housing Options introduced that it’ll improve capability by 12 beds beginning in November to offer extra shelter assets by the winter months. 

HHH has dedicated to protecting its new day room open from morning till The Salvation Military’s dinner service all through the winter. That facility consists of showers and a laundry room.