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Flathead Warming Center's Community Connection Guide and Press Release Public CommentAimee 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 [NOTICE: This message includes an attachment -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe.] 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. "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 WA IIR III°",01il II1 N G The Center iocommitted tobeing onimportant resource and asset toour community: Since 2U1S. the Warming Center has provided overnight shelter tothe homeless onavolunteer basis. VVewill continue toserve our community white promoting respect and communication. Mission: The Flathead Warming Center's mission iutnprovide a warm, safe refuge for people with nowhere else togointhe winter, offering nighttime shelter onthe Center's property. All Can Come ooTheyAre:The Flathead Warming Center's mission iurooted inthe belief that noone, regardless oftheir circumstances, should face freezing todeath. No one chooses tobehomeless. White the Center provides a safe place tosteep, noone would choose to steep inabunkroomwith 5Upeople, many ofwhom they've never met before. Once aperson iuinside, wecan then provide the support and accountability needed for each individual totake the steps necessary toimprove their living condition. . ..........0 A A ������l, G C 1�['���� OnNovember 7.2U24 afederal court ruled that the Flathead Warming Center can shelter the homeless white the Center's lawsuit challenging the revocation ofthe Center's permit continues. The Center has therefore reopened its doors tnprovide asafe place tnsteep during winter nights. Tb address community concerns, weoffer this guide inconjunction with our reopening tnclarify the principles shaping the Center's actions, highlight initiatives, and suggest how the community and the Center can work together. VVebelieve Kalispell should beawelcoming home for everyone, reflecting the care and compassion ofour community for all its neighbors. Care and Accountability Go Hand inHand: The Center believes inholding its guests accountable. Guests sign aol�zU� which outlines their responsibilities and expected behavior. Guests who break this agreement lose their right toshelter, with the length ofthat toss depending onthe behavior. Part ofthe Solution: The Center iu dedicated tohelping those inneed inevery way that itcan, but the individuals served by the Center are adults who navigate complex challenges, some ofwhich extend beyond the Center's capacity toaddress directly. White the Center strives tooffer meaningful support, itoperates within the limits ofthe taw, its mission, and its resources. The Role for Law Enforcement: During recent court proceedings, KaUopell'sChief ofPolice testified that for situations involving criminal activity orthreatening behavior, the appropriate first contact io taw enforcement, not the Center. Residents should call the police when immediate intervention is needed. Mutual Respect and Empathy: Half of the Center's guests have lived inKalispell for at(east ten years. And all but ahandful lived somewhere inMontana before they became homeless. They were —and indeed, remain —our neighbors. White weunderstand that itcan be challenging tosee orinteract with the homeless, homelessness iunot acrime. Just auweask our guests tobeconsiderate and respectful towards the neighborhood, wealso ask the community toapproach our guests with respect and empathy. ��0�� Ir|�� 11U��IllyCartriectl�ari Center Hotline: The Center has established a process for information intake that includes calling our main number (4OS-885- 3U42)orcompleting awebuite form tnallow community members tndirectly contact the Center's staff. Our phone and web form will bemonitored and maintained byCenter staff toensure timely responses. Information may not be left anonymously. Warming Center Care Team: 8e onthe lookout for Center staff, volunteers and guests inorange vests. Our Care team may befound picking uptrash and welcoming our guests authey walk tothe Center. Stop By, Help Out: Our doors are open atSpm.and wewelcome visits from our neighbors and community members. You can sign uptoprovide ameat service onour webuite.And weoffer volunteer opportunities. VVe cannot dowhat wedowithout the help ofour community. Transportation: Moving guests inand around the community remains achallenge. We're looking for community partners tohelp uu identify transportation options for our guests. Loop UoIn: We're doing our best tnstay in close communication with the community. Help uustay informed bykeeping uu in the loop! |fanissue pops up, please let uu know. And ifaspecific incident occurs, please gather and share details (vvho.when, where) uowe can determine ifone ofour guests was involved and how wemight hold them accountable. Law Enforcement Point-Peroon: The Center has appointed a dedicated taw enforcement liaison This staff member has been tasked with coordinating directly and egu(arty with taw enforcement to facilitate communication with the Center's guests and the broader community. Behavioral Guidelines for Center Guests: The Center has robust guidelines for respectful behavior within its premises and encourages guests tobeconsiderate ofthe surrounding neighborhood when entering and leaving the Center. The Warming Center Cannot Serve the Entire Homeless Community: Our capacity iulimited to5U(our number ofbedu).and wedonot serve those who donot follow our rules. VVeask that the community understand that weare not, and cannot be, responsible for homeless people ingeneral oranswerable for the problems that homelessness causes. VVeare part ofthe approach tohelping manage homelessness within the Flathead Valley. Use Proper Channels for Emergencies: For incidents involving mentaihealth crises, emergencies, orcriminal activities, weencourage community members to contact taw enforcement. Individualized Roodmopoand the Warming Center Resource Link: |tiu adifficult road out ofhomelessness. The Center's staff works with our guests onindividualized plans to gain the toots and resources toget back ontheir feet. Weekly meetings provide individualized support and accountability toour guests. Through our Resource Link, our community's resource providers work individually with guests INSIDE the Center. Through community and relationships, lives are changing. Open Doors, Open House: VVewill host periodic community meetings atthe shelter tnprovide anopen forum for community members tn 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 atour, which are often given byguest volunteers. Get the Facts: You can support the Warming Center bychoosing facts over rumors. Instead ofrelying onsocial media comments and misconceptions, reach out toour staff directly tolearn the truth and hovvyoucan help. Kindness Goes oLong Way: Sometimes, asmall act ofkindness can brighten someone's day inways wemay not even realize. Individuals experiencing homelessness experience trauma onaregular basis. For someone atatow point in life, simple geutueu—afriendly hello, awarm smite —can make a world ofdifference. Everyone needs community. � � AT� ... � - A )