History Repeats Itself
The Need Persists and so Do We
Today we are enjoying some bright and sunny days, surrounded by blooming flowers. But a few short months ago, we were in the thick of winter storms with frigid cold temps. The days were short and dark. And for someone without stable housing, it was also deadly.
Facing a shortage of shelter beds in the city, Peter & Paul Community Services opened a winter pop-up shelter to bring our neighbors inside and out of the cold. With less than 48 hours’ notice, we sprang into action – and beginning on January 5, our cots quickly filled as the snow came down.
Case Managers Crystal, Arness, Daquiti, and Pam serve dinner at the winter pop-up shelter.
We ultimately operated this winter pop-up shelter for 21 nights. During these pop-up shelters, more than 400 men, women, families, and beloved pets found a warm, safe place to rest to wait out the storm. In February, we were deeply saddened to hear of a woman sleeping outside City Hall who was found deceased. The tragic loss of her life was a harsh reminder of the importance of our mission.
Pop-up shelter guests sharing a meal.
“This is why Peter & Paul exists,” said PPCS COO Amanda Laumeyer, “when a man froze to death in the winter of 1981, the community rallied to create a safe place for people to stay warm and alive. We continue to answer that call, serving our most vulnerable neighbors with compassion.”
Creating and managing a pop-up shelter for up to 100 people a night is no easy feat. It was possible only because of supporters like you and our dedicated staff who worked with diligence and care for those at our pop-up shelter, while maintaining operations at our year-round housing and
shelter programs.
With your support, we are working toward a future where everyone has a safe place to sleep every night. Until then, we are still here.
Pop-Up Shelter Quick Facts:
- Operated for 21 nights from January-February.
- Open when the temperature was 25 degrees or below.
- Each week, we saw an average of 104 people and 4 dogs.
- Ages ranged from 19-70 years old.
