News

Story by Lynn Gieger, newsletter contributor

Photos by Donna Olendorf, board member

 

Safe Harbor has operated on Wellington Street just off E. Eighth Street since late 2017, and  while the emergency overnight shelter remains true to its mission to this day — offering food, shelter, and hope to people with no other place to go — what happens in this facility on a daily basis might surprise you. 

 

From near around-the-clock staff operations to daily teams of volunteers and upwards of 70 guests, the shelter is a buzz of activity.

 

What follows is a peek into one day, starting in the wee hours of the morning and running to lights out for guests at 10 p.m.

 

Preparing for tomorrow

Guests may be sleeping (or at least in their bunks), but work continues for the overnight staff.

 

Here, guest services staff member KJ updates the whiteboard at 3 a.m. with critical information like the weather forecast  and announcements for the day ahead, including meeting notifications, and upcoming events. And, always, a daily joke!

 

 

A daily ritual

While most guests were still sound asleep, Derrick — who recently found housing in the area — always got an extra early start to the day at 4 a.m.

 

He also had an extra special morning ritual: a bowl of tuna fish and some meditation.

 

 

 

 

Morning cleaning

Early morning staff chores include sweeping and mopping the kitchen and getting coffee ready to brew.

 

Hot and strong coffee is available daily starting at 5 a.m.!

 

 

 

 

 

 

First cup of the day

More early risers: first cup of the day in the shelter’s outdoor sitting area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outside for a smoke

The smoking area is pretty quiet at 5 a.m.

 

A guest takes advantage of the peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning volunteer arrives

The day’s morning volunteer checks in for the shift at 7 a.m.

 

This role is responsible for keeping the coffee flowing, running the dishwasher, and keeping the dining area tidy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday workday crew arrives

Wednesday workdays happen every week from 9 to 11 a.m. —  a dedicated time for anyone to show up and help with whatever needs to get done.

 

Standard tasks include wiping down sleeping mats, sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, restocking supplies, fixing broken things, constructing new things, and the list goes on! Free donuts included! Brad Gerlach (left), volunteer coordinator and facility manager, happily welcomes any Wednesday workday volunteers and always has a task ready for them!

 

 

 

Frank knows

Frank knows the shelter closes to guests at 9 a.m. sharp every day.

 

He makes every minute count!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Becky and Kathy

Longtime dedicated volunteers Becky (left) and Kathy tackle laundry and cleaning — always with a smile — during a recent Wednesday workday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday workday cleaner

Paul, a regular Wednesday workday volunteer, grabs his tools and heads to the men’s sleeping area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteers arrive to cook

Safe Harbor is blessed to have numerous partner churches, with each taking at least one to two weeks during the fall/winter season and providing the nightly meals and kitchen volunteers.

 

From meal planning and grocery shopping to preparing and serving the meals (and cleaning up afterward), it’s all done with smiles and generous hearts!

 

 

 

 

Evening huddle

A quick huddle with staff and volunteers happens right before the doors open for the night. It’s the final check to share any announcements and make sure everyone is ready to welcome our guests.

 

 

 

 

The line to enter

Guests are not allowed to start lining up to check in until 5:45 p.m.

 

The line grows quickly every night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter is always first

Somebody’s got to be first in line to check in when the shelter opens.

 

That somebody is usually Peter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenny prepares to open

Five minutes to opening! Jenny Wallman, staff and shelter supervisor, makes sure the check-in area is ready. The shelter opens at 6 p.m. every evening and check-in runs until 7:30 p.m. Two guests are allowed in the area at a time, where staff members inspect their belongings. Any medication and contraband (items not allowed in shelter) are safely stored for guests and returned to them when they depart in the morning.

 

 

The staff meeting

With more volunteers than staff in the shelter every night, how do you recognize a Safe Harbor staff member? Look for the people in red! This crew (and a few others who are not in this photo) is responsible for keeping the shelter a safe place to stay.

 

 

Dinner tickets

After checking in, guests can choose from either first (yellow ticket) or second (green ticket) seating for dinner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The facility manager

Lots of keys, lots of jobs! Mike is one of about a dozen volunteer facility managers at the shelter. 

 

This is a crucial, multi-tasking, role — managing the laundry and shower services, assisting guests with personal hygiene items, and being the point person for keeping the facility running smoothly.

 

 

Guests with jobs

Several of the current guests are employed, and some proudly display their work uniforms.

 

Here is Sara in her McDonald’s gear!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's eat!

Dinner is served!

 

Guests always appreciate a homemade meal and send many compliments to the chefs.

 

 

 

Lights out

Lights out (literally) at 10 p.m. at the shelter.

 

The dining area is dim and guests are required to be in their bunks.

 

 

 

 

 

Safe Harbor just completed its second summer season under a two-year pilot program exploring year-round operations. The shelter transitions to its normal regular season in mid-October. As part of that shift, the shelter is now open all day on the weekends