Flathead Warming Center's Community Connection Guide and Press Release Public Comment Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Flathead Warming Center FWC <flatheadwarmingcenter@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 11:02 AM
To: Doug Russell; Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Cc: Luke Heffernan; Darrin Andrews; Haley Barrile; Steve Snipstead; Roger Nasset;Jeffrey
Scogin; Bethany Johnson; Anita Lavin;John Lavin; Kyle Heinecke
Subject: EXTERNAL Flathead Warming Center's Community Connection Guide and Press
Release
Attachments: FWC CC Guide.pdf
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Kalispell City and Council,
Please see this Press Release and the attached Community Connection Guide.
As some of you may know, at the conclusion of the preliminary injunction hearing last year, our attorney
told the court that if it granted our request for a preliminary injunction, we'd endeavor to work with the
city to address any concerns and find mutually agreeable solutions that ensure the shelter can continue
serving the community's most vulnerable. Staying true to that promise, we put together a Community
Connection Guide, which I've attached, as a starting point to foster dialogue and open new lines of
communication.As always, I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Sincerely,
Tonya Horn
Flathead Warming Center Releases Community Connection Guide to Foster Stronger Ties with Kalispell
Community
KALISPELL, Mont.—As the new year begins, the Flathead Warming Center is releasing a "Community
Connection Guide" in an effort to foster stronger communication and collaboration between the shelter,
the Kalispell City Council, the Police Department, and the broader community. The guide is part of the
Center's ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships and work together to serve the area's most
vulnerable residents.
"Our mission has always been about working hand in hand with the community to help those most in
need," said Tonya Horn, Executive Director of the Flathead Warming Center. "We hope this guide will
provide community members with a clearer sense of how we can all work together to create a safer and
more connected Kalispell, while addressing any concerns or questions they may have."
Since obtaining a preliminary injunction with the help of the Institute for Justice (IJ), the Flathead
Warming Center has successfully remained open for overnight stays, providing life-saving shelter.With
temperatures regularly dropping below freezing, the Center continues to serve as a crucial lifeline for
individuals in need. Meanwhile, the Center is continuing its legal case with IJ to secure permanent relief
and ensure it can operate without fear of future shutdowns.
The Community Connection Guide offers an accessible way for community members to reach out to the
Center with questions or concerns. It also designates a Center employee to serve as a point person to
facilitate stronger collaboration with local law enforcement. The Center has already met with the
Kalispell Police Chief to establish clearer lines of communication and looks forward to building on this
relationship.Additionally, the Center has formed a Care Team to assist guests and maintain a positive
relationship with the surrounding neighborhood.
i
"The judge's decision on the preliminary injunction not only ensured that Kalispell's most vulnerable
residents have a safe and warm place to sleep, but it also set an important precedent," said Jeff Rowes,
senior attorney at the Institute for Justice. "As communities across the country grapple with how to
support those most in need, this case is a reminder that compassion and the law can go hand in hand to
achieve lasting solutions."
Tonya Horn
Executive Director
Flathead Warming Center
(406) 250-8652
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On November 7,2024,a federal court ruled that the Flathead Warming
Center can shelter the homeless while the Center's lawsuit challenging
the revocation of the Center's permit continues.The Center has therefore
reopened its doors to provide a safe place to sleep during winter nights.To
address community concerns,we offer this guide in conjunction with our
reopening to clarify the principles shaping the Center's actions,highlight
initiatives,and suggest how the community and the Center can work
together.We believe Kalispell should be a welcoming home for everyone,
reflecting the care and compassion of our community for all its neighbors.
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The Center is committed to being Care and Accountability Go Mutual Respect and Empathy:
an important resource and asset Hand in Hand:The Center Half of the Center's guests have
to our community:Since 2019, believes in holding its guests lived in Kalispell for at least ten
the Warming Center has provided accountable. Guests sign a ru,.;ril ly. years.And all but a handful lived
overnight shelter to the homeless (�-�cc'(,,Ipnncy�rf.,rr,r,,Crir,ril„which somewhere in Montana before they
on a volunteer basis.We will outlines their responsibilities and became homeless.They were—and
continue to serve our community expected behavior. Guests who indeed,remain—our neighbors.
while promoting respect and break this agreement lose their While we understand that it can be
communication. right to shelter,with the length challenging to see or interact with
Mission:The Flathead Warming of that loss depending on the the homeless, homelessness is not
Center's mission is to provide a behavior. a crime.Just as we ask our guests
warm,safe refuge for people with Part of the Solution:The Center is to be considerate and respectful
nowhere else to go in the winter, dedicated to helping those in need towards the neighborhood,we also
offering nighttime shelter on the in every way that it can, but the ask the community to approach our
Center's property. individuals served by the Center guests with respect and empathy.
All Can Come as They Are:The are adults who navigate complex
Flathead Warming Center's mission challenges, some of which extend
is rooted in the belief that no one, beyond the Center's capacity
regardless of their circumstances, to address directly. While the
should face freezing to death. No Center strives to offer meaningful
one chooses to be homeless.While support, it operates within the
the Center provides a safe place limits of the law, its mission, and
to sleep,no one would choose to its resources.
sleep in a bunkroom with 50 people, The Role for Law Enforcement:
many of whom they've never met During recent court proceedings,
before. Once a person is inside, Kalispell's Chief of Police testified
we can then provide the support that for situations involving criminal
and accountability needed for activity or threatening behavior,
each individual to take the steps the appropriate first contact is
necessary to improve their living law enforcement,not the Center.
condition. Residents should call the police
when immediate intervention is
needed.
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Center Hotline:The Center Law Enforcement Point-Person: Individualized Roadmaps and the
has established a process for The Center has appointed a Warming Center Resource Link:It is
information intake that includes dedicated law enforcement liaison. a difficult road out of homelessness.
calling our main number(406-885- This staff member has been tasked The Center's staff works with our
3042)or completing a website with coordinating directly and guests on individualized plans to
form to allow community members regularly with law enforcement to gain the tools and resources to get
to directly contact the Center's facilitate communication with the back on their feet.Weekly meetings
staff.Our phone and web form Center's guests and the broader provide individualized support
will be monitored and maintained community. and accountability to our guests.
by Center staff to ensure timely Behavioral Guidelines for Center Through our Resource Link,our
responses. Information may not be Guests:The Center has robust community's resource providers
left anonymously. work individually with guests INSIDE
guidelines for respectful behavior the Center.Through community and
Warming Center Care Team: Be within its premises and encourages relationships,lives are changing.
on the lookout for Center staff, guests to be considerate of the
volunteers and guests in orange surrounding neighborhood when Open Doors,Open House:We will
vests. Our Care team may be found entering and leaving the Center. host periodic community meetings
picking up trash and welcoming our at the shelter to provide an open
guests as they walk to the Center. forum for community members to
meet our staff and guests and to
voice their feedback.Anyone who
visits the Warming Center during its
operating hours can meet with staff
and receive a tour,which are often
given by guest volunteers.
Stop By,Help Out:Our doors are The Warming Center Cannot Serve Get the Facts:You can support
open at 6pm,and we welcome visits the Entire Homeless Community: the Warming Center by choosing
from our neighbors and community Our capacity is limited to 50(our facts over rumors. Instead of relying
members.You can sign up to provide number of beds),and we do not on social media comments and
a meal service on our website.And serve those who do not follow our misconceptions,reach out to our
we offervolunteer opportunities.We rules.We ask that the community staff directly to learn the truth and
cannot do what we do without the understand that we are not,and how you can help.
help of our community. cannot be,responsible for homeless Kindness Goes a Long Way:
Transportation: Moving guests people in general or answerable for Sometimes,a small act of kindness
the problems that homelessness
in and around the community can brighten someone's day in ways
remains a challenge.We're looking causes.We are part of the approach we may not even realize. Individuals
for community partners to help us to experiencing homelessness
identify transportation options for wi helping manage homelessness thin the Flathead Valley. experience trauma on a regular
our guests. Use Proper Channels for basis. For someone at a low point
Loop Us In:We're doing our best Emergencies: For incidents in life,simple gestures—a friendly
to stay in close communication involving mental health crises, hello,a warm smile—can make a
with the community. Help us stay emergencies,or criminal activities, world of difference. Everyone needs
we encourage community members community.
informed by keeping us in the loop!
to contact law enforcement.
If an issue pops up, please let us
know.And if a specific incident
occurs,please gather and share
details(who,when,where)so we A A L)
can determine if one of our guests ����/A ll'Z, N i I 1`v4 G
was involved and how we might hold 1Z C ��E 1`�\4 "IF E ��R
them accountable. in partnership with the Institute for Justice