Update on the Flathead Warming Center Comment from Tonya Horn, Warming Center Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Flathead Warming Center FWC <flatheadwarmingcenter@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 9:44 PM
To: Doug Russell; Kalispell City Council; Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Re: Update on the Flathead Warming Center
Dear Council,
I will not be long winded.
It was called to my attention that Kindee Nelson and Rose Askvig made public comment tonight. I
jumped on YouTube to replay their comments.
1.You have my earlier email from today regarding the steps we will be taking to better advertise our
Open Board Meetings. (We will be listing them on our website.) Prior to Ms. Nelson's comments
tonight we decided, as a sign of good faith,to unblock her and we are requesting that she be
respectful in her comments on Facebook going forward.
2. Rose reached out to speak to Ray Young, our Program Manager. Ray is our primary contact with
law enforcement. Ray is not the "neighborhood liaison". Out of courtesy, Ray returned her phone
call with his personal cell number so that he could be easier to reach. He wanted to be neighborly.
Ms.Askvig texted Ray(on his personal phone), 3 pictures on Friday. Ray was off on Friday as it was
his 50th birthday.This evening, Monday evening, Ms.Askvig is making public comment, presenting
that we do not want to work with the neighbors.This is completely unfair. Nothing could be further
than the truth.
This all stings because we are working very hard at the Warming Center.
3. Ms.Askvig sent 3 pictures. One of individuals walking down the Meridian sidewalk and two
pictures of individuals sitting on the electrical box on the corner of Meridian and Wyoming. (Ms.
Askvig lives on Liberty Street.). I do not see anyone in the pictures breaking any laws or
affecting anyone's ability to enjoy the neighborhood.
Ms.Askvig described to Council in her public comment what she observes as "the hobonation".
With a description as such,what visibility of homelessness will be acceptable to her???
Our building and grounds are clean and clutter free.We can not hide homelessness and our
property is not a homeless hangout.
I will reach out to our contact with KPD and see what suggestions can be given regarding
the electrical box. I am at a loss of what we can do.This does not mean that we do not care.We are
earnestly trying our best.
Sincerely,
Tonya Horn
Executive Director
Flathead Warming Center
(406) 250-8652
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On Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM Flathead Warming Center FWC
<flatheadwarmingcenter@gmail.com>wrote:
We appreciate the opportunity to provide an update on our continued efforts to serve our
community with compassion, accountability, and transparency.
Our doors have remained open—not just to those experiencing homelessness, but to
communication with our neighbors, city officials, and the broader public.We understand that we
will never make everyone happy, and we accept that reality with humility.While the vast majority
of community members have engaged with us in good faith,we acknowledge that a small handful
remain in opposition.
Prior to our first quarterly open board meeting, I sent personal notifications of the meeting to each
member of the neighborhood workgroup.At the board meeting, one attendee stated, "We do not
care about the good you do,we just do not want you here."This was a shared sentiment among the
small group who attended.That moment was difficult, but it also clarified the importance of
ongoing dialogue.We followed up in email asking for details regarding any incident that has
occurred.We did not receive a response.To date,we have not received information about an
incident forwhich we can be responsive too.
While it may be tempting to focus on the loudest voices or the most emotionally charged
feedback,we ask that you also consider the broader picture—because the communication we've
received from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
Our second quarterly open board meeting was posted on our social media page. Our biggest
opposition, Kindee Nelson is upset that she was not notified of the meeting because she is
blocked from our Facebook page. I do not know the specifics as to why Ms. Nelson is blocked from
our Facebook page,we rarely have blocked anyone other than in cases of hatefulness and/or
disrespectful comments regarding the homeless community. Regardless,we can do better.We
will post our quarterly board meetings on ourwebsite. Our next open meeting is in January.
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We want to emphasize that our quarterly board meetings are not the only way for neighbors to
communicate with us. In fact, our phone number is prominently displayed on the side of our
building—we welcome calls,visits, and conversations at any time.
We understand that we may never satisfy the concerns of a few individuals, but we hope not to
become their permanent target. Our focus remains on solutions, collaboration, and the well-being
of our guests and our community.We are proud of the steps we've continued to take to be a
responsible neighbor, and we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and service.
Sincerely,
Tonya Horn
Executive Director
Flathead Warming Center
(406) 250-8652
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