MARYSVILLE – Church leaders spent time this week trying to come up with a short-term solution for a homeless shelter after the surprise announcement that the Marysville Emergency Cold Weather Shelter closed Feb. 1.
Shelter leaders learned the shelter that housed the homeless for several years at Damascus Road Church, 1050 State Ave. across from Marysville City Hall, would no longer be available.
Damascas Road moved a few blocks north to 4011 81st Place NE. Another church that had planned to relocate to the shelter space is no longer moving in.
During this week’s cold spell, Marysville Foursquare Church stepped in to provide temporary shelter for two nights, said a grateful Greg Kanehen, Marysville Free Methodist Church pastor, chaplain and executive director of Marysville Crisis Support Services.
“We’re trying to band-aid the shelter needs the rest of the season through March,” Kanehen said. “That gives us spring and summer to come up with a permanent solution.”
Kanehen met with some pastors from the ministerial association to see if various churches could do one night a week for times when the temperature dips below freezing for an extended period.
Since all the shelter equipment, from bedding to supplies, is stored in a trailer and mobile, it’s primarily a location and volunteer help that’s needed.
Finding churches available to provide space during the week is the biggest challenge, he said. Most of the churches have preschool or child care facilities, so converting space for a temporary homeless shelter isn’t ideal because it doesn’t ensure a safe environment for children.
Shelter director Zoe Wlazlak said the shelter typically goes into action when overnight temperatures are anticipated to be 32 degrees or colder for four hours or more. That is likely to mean several more nights in February and March, based on past history.
Like Kanehen and others, Wlazlak said she has been contacting churches to help.
“I have talked to or emailed several pastors in Marysville, but it’s short notice since they have boards to answer to, insurance and other issues,” Wlazlak said.
Another pastor agreed to reach out to businesses who might be able to step in and provide a location.
Wlazlak said the city is also aware of the closure.
The shelter has been operated by volunteers from several churches including Damascas Road, Allen Creek Community, Marysville Free Methodist, Foursquare, Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mountain View Presbyterian and Marysville Church of the Nazarene.
As of Jan. 10, the shelter had been open 22 nights since Thanksgiving, with 288 beds occupied, 180 dinners served, and more than 800 volunteer hours contributed.
