PORT TOWNSEND — What started as a few women from three churches in 2005 has grown to a force of 12 Jefferson County churches and more than 450 volunteers who help operate the emergency winter shelter in the basement of American Legion Post 26 downtown.
Community Outreach Association Shelter Team is today more like an army caring for those who might otherwise be sleeping on the ground in the bone-chilling outdoors.
COAST, as it is commonly called, is one of three legs of the stool supporting the Jefferson County Winter Shelter.
The other two agencies essential to the shelter are Olympic Community Action Programs and the American Legion.
The shelter, which houses up to 18 men and women in the basement of the American Legion Hall at 209 Monroe St., is open from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day from late November to mid-March.
It was open all day for Christmas, and volunteers plan to have it open all day New Year’s Day, said Joyce O’Neal, member of COAST.
“Obviously, the need in the community has increased. The trickle-down theory obviously touches everyone,” said the Rev. Skip Cadorette, referring to the anemic economy that has sent some to the shelter.
Cadorette, pastor of First Baptist Church of Port Townsend, who calls himself a “Port Townsend boy,” took over for O’Neal as COAST board chairman in September.
While COAST leaders have considered branching out, their focus remains on the shelter, Cadorette said.
“We’re trying to provide basic services — a warm place to stay, a secure place to sleep and food.”
COAST also has had help from volunteers with service clubs, as well as the American Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary.
“But the vast portion of it is from the faith community,” Cadorette said.
Kim Hammers, a founding member of COAST through St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, said that when it comes to the homeless, church volunteers merely “walk the talk” of their religious teachings.
“It’s not a hard thing to do — make food or give a blanket,” Hammers said.
COAST co-Chairman the Rev. Carl Hanson at Church of Christ in Port Townsend said the shelter’s success “speaks well of the community.”
Karen Riel of Brinnon, Alison Capener of Port Townsend — a former COAST chairwoman — Hammers and O’Neal were among the founding members.
Capener organized local churches to help the homeless after her son died in a shelter in Hawaii.
COAST volunteers help by serving more than 5,280 hot dinners, breakfasts and sack lunches at the shelter each season.
The shelter sparkles with bright-colored paint and better lighting, heating and bedding than when it started.
Improvements
American Legion Cmdr. Joe Carey said the legion and others most recently donated a new refrigerator to the shelter.
That’s a small part of what Carey estimates to be some $20,000 to $25,000 in improvements to the shelter space that have included a new furnace and drainage improvements to the driveway outside and above the basement space that once flooded.
Carey and his wife, Louise Walczak, recently installed a vanity with a sink.
Future legion plans include adding two unisex bathrooms in what is now storage space, Carey said, but because the shelter is below street level, the bathrooms will require a pump.
The legion has also been hard at work outside the building with landscaping that blends with the city of Port Townsend’s streetscape at Madison and Water streets.
Welcomes volunteers
Although their volunteer force is strong, volunteers are still needed to assist staff monitors in the evening and overnight shifts.
“We’re getting reliably more volunteers,” said Carla Main, COAST board member with Meeting of Friends Quaker Church.
“I think when people hear about the program, they are energized.”
Help is especially needed over the holidays, and training and orientation are required and provided by OlyCAP.
Other volunteers are needed to launder towels, sheets and blankets on-site.
Donations needed include personal grooming items for men and women; washable bedding and towels; warm jackets, gloves, hats and scarves in good condition; bus tickets; grocery gift cards; restaurant meals; small tents; clean sleeping bags; foam sleeping mats with waterproof covers; tarps; backpacks; cleaning supplies; paper goods; and coffee.
COAST is composed of Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Community United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Port Townsend, Church of Christ, Trinity United Methodist Church, Meeting of Friends Quaker Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Lighthouse Lions of Port Townsend, Elks BPOE 317, Bet Shira, San Juan Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Unity of Port Townsend Church, Calvary Community Church, Rotary clubs, Dogs on the Roof, Friends of Lions, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Spiritual Group, Port Ludlow Community Church and the legion’s women’s auxiliary.
Businesses supporting the shelter include Ferino’s Pizza, Bayview Restaurant, Salal Cafe, Seaport Landing residential apartments, Pizza Factory, The Printery, Waterfront Pizza, Pane d’Amore bakery, SOS Printing, First Stop Fire & Safety Equipment, Tarboo Ridge Extinguishers and Badd Habit.
OlyCAP helps provide medical attention and clothing, case management, assistance with school enrollment, referral for treatment or counseling, help in finding employment and rental assistance.
To contact OlyCAP about the shelter, phone deForest Walker at 360-385-2571.
To volunteer with COAST or donate, phone Cadorette at 360-385-2752.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.