Warming Center Public Comment from Jen MetcalfeAimee Brunckhorst
From: Jennifer Metcalfe <jenmetcalfe32@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2024 6:07 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Warming Center
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing regarding the recent issue of the Warming Center permit. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in our valley, I
have seen many of our community members struggle with homelessness. While many of those who I have met struggle
with mental health and substance abuse, others are working class residents who simply can't afford the cost of living.
Regardless of the reasoning behind their homelessness, they are human beings worthy of dignity and respect. The
Warming Center has been an invaluable resource to our community. They have helped those in need have a warm bed at
night, a place to sleep, which is a basic human right. This is just one of the many services they provide. Closing down the
Warming Center is not a solution to the problem, homelessness will not simply end because the center is shut down. I
urge you to consider the lives of all those impacted by revoking the permit. I understand that there may be issues that
need to be addressed, but let's find a way to do that without shutting down the center.
Thank you for your consideration.
Jen Metcalfe