To the Editor,
I wish to share my positive and rewarding experience volunteering at the overnight warming shelter hosted by The Dalles St. Vincent de Paul this past week.
With St. Vincent de Paul’s graciously offered space and Debbie Sandoz’s tireless dedication, we were able to provide warm, safe shelter to our most vulnerable community members who otherwise would have been outside overnight during life-threatening frigid temperatures. Every one of our shelter guests were polite, respectful, and grateful and we were without any behavioral issues or need for security guards.
Guests not only stayed safe and out of the cold, but they also shared the healing warmth of community and connection. The shelter atmosphere was one of joy, good humor, and conviviality. Many guests helped set up the shelter and served one another hot chocolate and snacks before our guests watched Holiday movies, followed by a night of restful sleep indoors.
Many of our houseless neighbors suffer from ill-addressed mental health conditions and deserve compassion and to not die alone, outside when the temperature drops. Our community should be proud that collectively we were providing critically needed low-barrier shelter, if only temporarily.
-Courtney Crawford
