Shelter to stay open through Friday night

ROSEBURG – An overnight warming shelter will remain open in Roseburg through Friday night, when the National Weather Service predicts a low temperature of 29 degrees.

The shelter at 406 Winchester Ave., which can now accommodate 60 guests and staff, reopened Monday, Feb. 21, and will open each night this week through Friday, according to shelter operator Kimetha Stallings of Onward Roseburg.

Check-in begins at 6 p.m. Those in need of shelter should arrive by 9 p.m. A cot, blanket and pillow are provided to anyone staying the night. Overnight guests can remain at the center until about 7:00 a.m.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call or text Stallings at 541-236-2089. Be sure to specify which shift or shifts you’re available for: evening (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.), overnight (11 p.m. to 4 a.m.) or morning (4 a.m. to 9 a.m.).

The shelter and Onward Roseburg will accept donations of survival-gear items such as tents and tarps to give out if the center becomes full and must turn anyone away, pillows, blankets, sweatshirts and jeans. However, blankets must be washable, said Stallings, who asked that comforters and large blankets not be donated because of difficulties in washing them. 

The shelter is a community effort operated by Onward Roseburg. Cots have been provided by the Dream Center, the Roseburg Senior Center caters two hot meals paid for by United Community Action Network (UCAN), the building is provided by Adapt, and staff and supply funding come from the City.

UCAN and Adapt originally opened the shelter Monday, Dec. 27. Adapt and Stallings later signed an agreement allowing UCAN to turn over shelter operations to Onward Roseburg. Adapt owns the building, which is expected to be used as a warming center during extreme cold weather through March 31 on nights when low temperatures are predicted to be 30 degrees or less, or 32 degrees with rain, snow, wind and/or sustained cold.

In addition, the Roseburg Rescue Mission offers overnight shelter at 752 S.E. Pine St.