Please Support the Warming Shelter Public Comment from Justin BarryAimee Brunckhorst
From: Justin Barry <justinbarry33@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2024 11:10 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Please Support the Warming Shelter
Hello,
My name is Justin Barry and I'm a community member writing to you today because I'm concerned about
action being taken against the Warming Center.
I believe that city council should support and work with the warming center to provide care for people in
our valley that need it. There are many reasons someone might be homeless and we should be
compassionate towards people without homes. The Warming Shelter is an essential community service
that is doing amazing work to care for our neighbors that need it most.
The city and county should work to provide affordable housing, mental health and addiction resources
and better career jobs. These things will help alleviate the root causes of homelessness in
our communities and actually solve some problems!
When I first moved here I worked with the montana conservation corps. I was temporarily homeless that
summer because I couldn't afford housing. I got lucky eventually and was able to move in with some
friends in Whitefish. I worked different service industryjobs for years because I grew to love this place,
the people in it and just wanted to keep living here. I got lucky and I made it work. Now I have my own
business and am working to establish a community centered nonprofit.
Just because someone is homeless doesn't mean they aren't good for this community. Act with
compassion please and support the Flathead Warming Center.
Thankyou,
Justin Barry