Shelter For Homeless Opens at Ashland First Presbyterian Church Hall

ASHLAND, Ore. — Since Wednesday, homeless people in Ashland have been sheltered overnight at the First Presbyterian Church’s Calvin Hall.

The shelter’s opening was made possible in collaboration with the City of Ashland, the church and the nonprofit, Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice (SOJWJ).

Shelter Opened After ‘Arctic Blast’ Weather Warning

If applicable, the emergency overnight shelter will operate until Sunday morning, following a four-day severe weather warning by the National Weather Service that predicted ‘an Artic blast’ from Thanksgiving until Saturday night when temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing.

The emergency shelter could not have opened at a better time for those without a roof over their heads. The general threshold for severe weather is 32 degrees or below and includes factors such as wind chill, snow, and rain.

Providing shelter for homeless people is made in terms of the Ashland City Council’s Resolution 2022-33 and depends on the availability of resources – a venue from which to operate and an organization to run the operation.

According to a press release, the Presbyterian Church venue is a ‘no frills, overnight shelter for anyone needing to get out of the cold.’ The shelter will be manned by volunteers and the SOJFJ.

The SOJFJ is offering free volunteer training on December 4. More details can be obtained at the organization’s website: https://sojwj.org/

When activated by the conditions of Resolution 2022-33, the shelter will operate from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until January 1, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1615 Clark Avenue. Shelter notifications can be received by texting 97520SHELTER to “888777.” To check shelter openings, visit ashlandoregon.gov/HomelessServices.