Shelter staff will meet with community

Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS ) is hosting a meeting on Monday, February 4, at 6 p.m. in the Sisters Fire Hall community room.

Interested members of the public and neighbors who live near the churches providing shelter accommodations are invited to come hear from shelter organizers and to engage in a conversation about neighbor concerns regarding the shelter, including possible remedies.

A number of topics are possible for discussion, including: the shelter's "screening process" of guests and weapon control as it exists today; temperature guidelines for being open that are different at different shelters and the impact on SCWS; possible solutions to help lessen neighborhood and community concerns; and arrival and departure of shelter guests.

Chairperson for the shelter, Gary Eidsmoe, told The Nugget, "I think the main concern for the neighbors is why do we have the shelter in close proximity to neighborhoods and schools, and we will explain this as best as possible."

A professional facilitator will provide coordination for the evening to ensure the conversations stay on topic and civil.

Organizers are hopeful to also have representatives from Shepherd's House (the fiscal agent for the shelter), the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office to talk about their experience with the unhomed, and Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid or Fred Perl, the USFS law enforcement officer. Perl has frequent contact with shelter guests and others who live in the surrounding forest.

For the month of February, the SCWS is located at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. Earlier it was housed at The Hangar belonging to Sisters Community Church and at Westside Church.