Warming Center from Mary McCarthyJudi Funk
From: Mary M <mmccarthy.tunk@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2024 6:38 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Warming center
Myna me is Mary McCarthy. I live at 556 Park Ave. in whitefish Montana. I have been a volunteer at the
Warming Center for approximately four years. In that time I have seen an increase in population of the
homeless not only here but all around the country. The Warming Center has always been protective of
their neighbors, but they can't be everywhere all the time. I can only imagine if the Warming Center
wasn't there what the increase in calls would've had been anyway. Tonya has put her heart and soul into
saving people from suffering the winters here. So many others have too.
The Warming Center staff and volunteers have helped facilitate and offer ways to get people back on
their feet, and we treat them like human beings with dignity and honor.
I wish the council members or people in authority would come volunteer. I have seen a couple and
appreciate that.
There are some cities around the country that have some successful communities of the once homeless.
I would encourage you to take a look at Austin, TX and Eugene, OR where the city got involved to help
these people get out of the cold and into a new way of living.
Thank you for your time,