Shelters Won't Open Without More Volunteers

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Story Published: Nov 6, 2009 at 7:56 PM PST

By Sade Malloy

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YAKIMA -- Extreme winter weather shelters are getting the cold shoulder. They're so desperate for overnight volunteers that they could miss their November 15th opening day. Action News explains why the entire city has a stake in this.

Homelessness is a hot topic in Yakima. Mayor Dave Edler is taking a stance, working with the city's legal department to get them off the streets and in the proper shelters.

"We have four shelters designated for Yakima and we will fill all four of those without a doubt," says Dave Hanson, Extreme Winter Weather Shelter.

But the Extreme Winter Weather Shelter won't open on November 15th if they don't get some serious help. Right now the program only has 15 trained overnight volunteers they need 40 before they can open. They've got a little over a week to train 25 people but that's just for the first winter weather shelter. They're opening the other three in stages, so in total they need 80-100 more.

"It's a lot to ask but it's a healthy thing so we don't hesitate to ask," says Hanson.

The Extreme Winter Weather Shelter Program doesn't hesitate to ask for help because its success reflects back on our community. More than 200 people used their services last winter and the more people they keep off the streets the better.

"If they don't have food and some place to sleep they're looking someplace to sleep and food and that can bring some bad situations," says Rosemary Faull, volunteer.

Heating up the homeless with a good meal and warm bed for the light prevents the crime cold weather can bring on.

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