THE GORGE — Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) is expanding its shelter operations this winter to give community members experiencing houselessness more consistent access to a warm, safe place to stay, and to better support these individuals to transition from shelter into long-term housing placements.
The Hood River Shelter will shift from winter seasonal to year-round operations, and the Gloria Center Shelter in The Dalles will shift from emergency shelter to winter seasonal operations.
“This expansion reflects what we see in our community every day: the need for safe shelter doesn’t end when winter does, and waiting for a severe weather alert shouldn’t be the only way someone can come indoors,” said MCCAC Executive Director Leslie Naramore. “We are grateful to the partners who helped make this possible, and we know there is more work ahead.”
What’s changing
• Hood River Shelter: Shifting from winter seasonal operations (mid-November through March) to year-round operations.
• Gloria Center Shelter: Shifting from emergency shelter, which opens during severe weather events, to winter seasonal operations open mid-November through March.
Hood River Shelter
The Hood River Shelter provides a warm and safe place to sleep along with access to food, clothing, bedding and toiletries, shower and laundry services, and connections to housing case management and other supportive services. The shelter has been open each winter since 2010, and year-round operations mean these services will now be available beyond the winter months. The anticipated opening of the Hood River Shelter is Monday, Nov. 16.
“Year-round operations mean our guests don’t have to start over every spring,” said MCCAC Regional Shelter Manager Liz Leon. “Our team can keep building relationships and working with guests on housing case management and other supports all year long. With year-round shelter our teams can provide a more holistic approach to wraparound services for guests to work towards stabilization with dignity and hope.”
The Hood River Shelter is made possible in part through collaboration with Hood River County, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program, the City of Hood River, One Community Health, the Columbia Gorge Health Council and their Bridges to Health Pathways Program, Mid-Columbia Center for Living, and Oregon Housing and Community Services, along with community volunteers, local businesses, and faith and service groups. Learn more about the Hood River Shelter at www.mccac.com/hood-river-shelter.
The Gloria Center Shelter
Until now, MCCAC has opened emergency shelter at The Gloria Center during severe weather events. Under the new model, the Gloria Center Shelter will operate 24/7 throughout the winter season with an expected opening on Monday, Nov. 23.
“For people in The Dalles, a winter seasonal shelter means they can count on a safe place to sleep all winter, not just on the coldest nights,” said Leon. “Our team is ready, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests.”
Community members who want to support MCCAC’s shelter operations can learn how to donate at www.mccac.com/donate. Anyone with questions is welcome to email Info@mccac.com, call 541-298-5131, or stop by The Gloria Center (2505 W. 7th Street, The Dalles) or MCCAC’s Hood River Office (606 State Street, Suite 1B, Hood River) during business hours.
Our commitment to the community
Shelter is one piece of a larger effort to help community members move from crisis to stability. No single agency can solve these challenges alone, and real progress will take all of us showing up, working together, and supporting one another. We invite you to join us.
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