Dear Family of Faith,
I mentioned in the service today that the Skagit County Commissioners are making decisions about Skagit County Public Health continuing to manage the severe weather shelter. Please keep this situation in prayer Monday morning and afternoon.
For your information, here are some details from Sarah Vogt of Welcome Home Skagit:
Hello friends Sarah with Welcome Home Skagit here, We have an urgent request that you communicate the crucial need for a severe weather shelter at the Skagit County public comment/individual success stories meeting on Monday January 8th at 11:30 either in person or on zoom. If you can not attend can you express your concern by either sending an email to commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or by calling (360) 416-1300. Your support could save someone’s life. Please help!
Background:
Skagit County Public Health staff asked to take the lead on operating a severe weather shelter over a year ago. During the past year county staff have worked hard on this project researching and training, recruiting, and preparing community volunteers. The severe weather shelter opens only during times of severe weather, in the 2022-23 winter this totaled 22 nights. This winter so far, the severe weather shelter opened 11 nights with an average of 9 people a night and no major issues or concerns occurred.
The weather looks like it’s dropping to freezing temperatures on Wednesday January 10th (https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/mount-vernon/98273/daily-weather-forecast/336352) and we NEED the severe weather shelter to open.
Each night roughly 5-10 people are turned away from first steps winter shelter because they are full. There are not enough beds and it’s not even harsh weather yet. When the temperatures drop, more people will need to come inside where they are safe and warm. This County has public health staff ready to open, there is a partner host church ready to open, volunteers and supplies are available.
We have heard that some leaders asked public health not to open-but we are asking the Commissioners to reconsider this.
Opening the public health severe weather shelter is necessary to save the lives of our most vulnerable community members.
Public Comment Access:
Monday January 8th, 2024
11:30 am
1800 Continental Pl Mount Vernon
https://inside.skagit.local/CountyCommissioners/Documents/Agenda/agenda010824.pdf
Remote access will continue through Zoom. To join remotely use this link: https://bit.ly/SkagitBoCCMtg or call: 1 (253) 215-8782 Meeting ID: 871 8000 1980 Passcode: 143573. Public comments prior to final action per RCW 42.30.20(4) must relate to the specific agenda item
Public comments can be provided by sending an e-mail to commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or by calling the Commissioners’ office at (360) 416-1300.
grace and peace,
Pastor Matt
