What is the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan?
Thurston County coordinates the Hazard Weather Shelter Plan (aka the Winter Weather Response Plan for Winter: 2018 – 2019), intended to provide shelter and other accommodations for unhoused citizens during episodes of extreme weather. Such weather is defined in the Plan to include: deep freezes, wind storms, floods, earthquakes and other life-threatening hazardous conditions. This means providing shelter for people not in the regular year-round shelter system or the Cold Weather System that runs every night from November 1st – March 30th. This Hazard Shelter Plan is intended to accommodate people who might not survive in outdoor camps, doorways or cars.
CODE BLUE DECLARED
TUESDAY 12/4-THURSDAY 12/5
Thurston County Public Health has declared a code blue emergency for Tuesday December 4th-Thursday December 6th for temperatures dropping below 30 degrees. This additional shelter space will be for up to 70 people and will available until the temperatures rise or if there is insufficient staffing. It will be hosted at the Salvation Army Church Salvation Army 1505 4th Ave. E Olympia, WA 98501.
Who/What/When
WHO: Anyone in need of shelter up to 75 people. There will be at least one paid staff supplemented by volunteers and hosted by the Salvation Army and the volunteer site manager, Anna Schlect.
WHAT: Nightly shelter on mats indoors. Cars and RV parking not available, tent camping not available, pets ok, no carts or bikes inside the building, no open flames, no drugs or alcohol on site, no prepared meals but there will be snacks, no violence, respect yourself and everyone else and we will do the same!
WHEN: Tuesday Dec. 4th - Thursday Dec. 6th, 2018, 8pm-7am
WHAT: Nightly shelter on mats indoors. Cars and RV parking not available, tent camping not available, pets ok, no carts or bikes inside the building, no open flames, no drugs or alcohol on site, no prepared meals but there will be snacks, no violence, respect yourself and everyone else and we will do the same!
WHEN: Tuesday Dec. 4th - Thursday Dec. 6th, 2018, 8pm-7am
Donations NEEDED!
Food: Cup o' soups, granola bars, tea, coffee, decaf coffee, creamer, sugar, pastries, fruit, cereal, milk, etc.
Supplies: Blankets, hand warmers, toilet paper, paper towels, gloves, hats, scarfs, socks (no other clothing please!), basic cleaning supplies, bleach wipes, vinyl un-powdered gloves size medium or large.
DROP OFF: Please drop off donations T-Th this week after 7pm directly to the Salvation Army Church located at 1505 4th Ave. E Olympia, WA 98501.
Supplies: Blankets, hand warmers, toilet paper, paper towels, gloves, hats, scarfs, socks (no other clothing please!), basic cleaning supplies, bleach wipes, vinyl un-powdered gloves size medium or large.
DROP OFF: Please drop off donations T-Th this week after 7pm directly to the Salvation Army Church located at 1505 4th Ave. E Olympia, WA 98501.
Volunteers NEEDED!
Have you gone through the Interfaith Works Homeless Services Program general training? If so... please join us THIS SUNDAY Dec. 2nd, 3pm-5pm for an on-site orientation at the Salvation Army space. Here we will discuss logistics, safety plans, calling trees, and walk through the space. Salvation Army Church is located at 1505 4th Ave. E Olympia, WA 98501.
Additional orientations will happen each night once CODE BLUE starts at 7pm, on-site, every night that the code blue lasts.
Additional orientations will happen each night once CODE BLUE starts at 7pm, on-site, every night that the code blue lasts.
What Volunteers Do
Volunteering at one of the Hazard Weather Shelter sites involves taking one of the Set-up or Clean-up shifts each day. The Set-up shift is 6:30pm to 11pm, and the Clean-up shift is 5am to 7:30am or until the cleaning is done. Paid staff are scheduled for the overnight shift. Volunteers provide a warm and welcoming place for people to come in from the hazardous weather and help assist the trained staff however they need it. Basic safety rules will keep everyone safe. All shelter facilities will be staffed and supplemented with volunteers, further defined in the attached Hazard Weather Shelter Operations Plan”.
How Do I Sign Up for CODE BLUE now that I've been trained?
Please check out the calendar at the bottom of this page to see what shifts are open. All shifts that are available will say "NEEDED" next to them. Pick which shifts work for you and then Contact us on the form below telling us what shift you want.
Contact us if you can volunteer for CODE BLUE!
Interested in volunteering for Code Blue? Need to change your current volunteer shift or sign up for an open shift? Please share your contact information, what group you are with, and a message about how you would like to get involved> Deborah Schmidt from the IW office will respond shortly with next steps. You can also give her a call at 360-357-7224.
Next General Interfaith Works Volunteer Training
December 8, 2018 — 12-4pm
At the IW Nightly Shelter**
**You will ALSO need to attend the additional training/orientation needed for groups and individuals supporting the Hazardous Weather Code Blue shelter effort that takes place at 6pm at the Salvation Army whenever a Code Blue is called.
Please click the blue button below to sign up for our next monthly training!
At the IW Nightly Shelter**
**You will ALSO need to attend the additional training/orientation needed for groups and individuals supporting the Hazardous Weather Code Blue shelter effort that takes place at 6pm at the Salvation Army whenever a Code Blue is called.
Please click the blue button below to sign up for our next monthly training!
Need More Info?
For More Information, Please contact:
City of Olympia Homeless Response Coordinator: Colin DeForrest c/o cdeforre@ci.olympia.wa.us
THANKS FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP SHELTER OUR HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS!
City of Olympia Homeless Response Coordinator: Colin DeForrest c/o cdeforre@ci.olympia.wa.us
THANKS FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP SHELTER OUR HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS!
