St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks SHELTER

click to go to the Fairbanks SHELTER web page

Current Partners: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

First Presbyterian Church

Mission/Issues:

- Winter is upon us in Fairbanks.

- The homeless population in our community is large and increasing.

- The only shelter in Fairbanks, the Rescue Mission, can only accommodate sober persons seeking shelter.

- Last year we witnessed several fatalities among the homeless due to lack of adequate shelter.

- A high percentage of the homeless are affected by substance addictions and/or mental health problems.

- A damp shelter will help free up police and emergency room time and resources saving the community several hundred thousand dollars.

Immediate Solution:

Short Term - Create a DAMP SHELTER for the homeless during the winter months, September to April. Provide basic shelter – sleeping mats and access to toilets – for homeless and those persons who have been drinking. Staff with medically trained volunteers to monitor alcohol levels of inebriated guests and refer them to other, appropriate facilities as needed (hospital, detox unit). Volunteers may be recruited from community medical personnel (including Fort Wainwright) and the university, for training and humanitarian purposes. Shelter not meant to be long-term housing or treatment center. The minimum estimated number of beds needed is 60.

Long Term - Create a transitional facility for those who are moving from homelessness to self-sufficiency. We are looking at Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage as a model.

Our Current Efforts:

We are working on incorporating as an ecumenical non-profit, and achieving 501 3c status.

We are searching for a temporary home for the winter of ‘08-’09. It may only be temporary but we will need to meet local building and zoning codes.

We are planning fundraisers. (see below) At this time we are requesting donations be passed through the local churches.

We have scheduled another winter clothing give-away for October 30. (see below)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Marsh: 378-2730 or 458-0223

Cindy Fields: 456-4918 or 347-5526

Updated 10/13/08

WINTER CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY

Another winter clothing give-away is needed and has been scheduled for Thursday, October 30, from 1-3 pm at First Presbyterian Church, at Seventh and Cushman.

We are asking for donations of coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, snow pants, long underwear and boots. Please drop these off at First Presbyterian Church NO EARLIER THAN Monday, October 27. Volunteers are also needed.

At St. Matthews Pauline Wilson will also collect clothing donations on Sunday October 19 and 27. If you can not drop off donations yourself please call or email Pauline (479-3503, pauligw@gmail.com) before October 28 to arrange for a pickup.

Contact: Cindy Fields – 456-4918

BENEFIT CONCERT

We are looking to schedule a benefit concert later on. Details will be passed along as it develops.

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