For all questions or offers of help, please contact Avram at 541 220-7307 or email at avramsacks@gmail.com
12/1/19 From
Vanessa Martynse Houk
I plead with anyone who cares about this issue to attend an emergency meeting on Wed December 4 from 5-630 pm in the Hannon library at SOU room 329.
I’m thinking about how I touched his hand for a tiny moment, on purpose, because I was trying to assess how he was doing while I was sliding a few bucks into his hand. He appears to be Native American, probably about 60 years old and since I found him in Medford, he wasn’t already familiar to me. And yet he was. Everyone who lives outside always is. Brothers and sisters.
His hands were icy and I softly told him to keep drinking the coffee in front of him and to try to stay safe. Our eyes locked for a moment and he whispered a thank you. He was sitting inside the mall where the coffee in front of him might buy him about 40 minutes of warmth before he’s shuffled back out into the cold.
I held back my own tears as I rejoined my daughters, who I haven’t been able to see much of this last week because the shelter held so much of my attention.
We’ve been fielding messages and phone calls all day asking about emergency shelter. I can hardly describe the physical, emotional and mental toll this week has had on me and so I plead with anyone who cares about this issue to attend an emergency meeting on Wed December 4 from 5-630 pm in the Hannon library at SOU room 329. We need to discuss plans on how, as a community, we can address this issue with compassion. We need to tell you the process of becoming volunteers and we need to expand our volunteer pool so that when the next storm comes, we will be ready.
Please help us continue to keep our friends sheltered through the coldest nights of the winter.
Thank you.
UPDATE AS OF 11/29:
Hosting three nights of emergency shelter has worn us out pretty good and we have two trained volunteers ready to host tonight’s shelter at the library so that all we have to do is let them in the door and have a briefing about using the library space, since it’ll be new to them. A few people are bringing in breakfast tomorrow morning (burritos). What we need now are a couple of people who will help clean the downstairs area of the Ashland library so that the hosts won’t be facing that after their long night. It would be the Gresham meeting room, a little kitchenette area and just making sure that the hallways and restrooms are tidy. If we can line that up then Jason and I can finally rest. Can you help from 730 until about 9 am? Please let me know so that I can let Avram and Joy know that this job is all covered.
Thank you.
UPDATE as of 11/28:
Due to this week’s freezing and stormy weather, there are needs and changes for both the Emergency Warming Shelter and Community Peace Meal Thanksgiving Dinner.
Thursday, November 28 THANKSGIVING
Breakfast is needed. Can anyone help with breakfast for 25 or more people?
Night shelter ends at 8 a.m.Day shelter begins as long as there are volunteers to staff it.
Thanksgiving Community Peace Meal has been moved and will NOT be in Pioneer hall but has been relocated to the Bellview Grange this year.
Night shelter begins at 7 p.m. Volunteers needed.
Friday morning breakfast is needed.
Friday, November 29
7 p.m. shelter in Ashland library. We can open at 5 p.m. if we have volunteers to staff it.Saturday morning breakfast is needed.
If you can help with any of the tasks mentioned above, call Jason Houk at 541 841 8341 to volunteer or show up at the Bellview Grange today to drop off donations, or make arrangements to volunteer.
Thank you.
Justice & Witness Ministry Team
UCC Ashland——–
To help in any way you can,
Please call Avram at 541-220-7307 or email at avramsacks@gmail.com.
Here is a tentative schedule for the coming days. Hours are estimations, at best. Check for updates.
Tuesday, tonight (11/26). Downtown Ashland Public Library, 7 PM- 9AM Wednesday
Wednesday AM Downtown Ashland Public Library, 9AM- Noon
Wednesday PM. Belleview Grange. 1PM-7 PM
Wednesday PM. Belleview Grange. 7PM-9 AM Thursday
Thursday AM Belleview Grange. 9AM-1 PM
Thursday PM. Belleview Grange Thanksgiving Meal.1 PM-6 PM
Thursday PM. Belleview Grange. 6 PM- 9 AM
Friday. AM. Belleview Grange. 9AM-Noon
Friday PM Ashland library from 7 pm to 9 am sat.
Friday. PM. Trinity Episcopal Church. 7 PM- 9 AM
Jason and Vanessa are in charge of overnight shifts and Thanksgiving meal.
Avram is in charge of day shifts and transportation.
More information:
Stories from the Shelter 11/26/2019
From Vanessa Houk “Shelter from the Freezing Conditions” about a frail 78 year old man just out of the hospital and on the street, 
“Our terrific state representative Pam Marsh is helping us staff the shelter tonight. She’s getting a front row seat to what the housing crisis looks like in real time. 