LIVINGSTON, Mont.- Livingston’s Warming Center will open its doors to the public starting Friday, February 1st at 7 pm.
HRDC Outreach Coordinator Marissa Hackett said the facility on 119 South 2nd will be open the beginning of February through April.
“This has been a community effort amongst many community partners that work directly with individuals facing homelessness,” said Hackett. “So to be at this stage to offer this service in the community means a lot, such an impactful service to provide the community.
The operations cost of the building for two months will cost $38,000, of which HRDC has raised 9,000.
“We, HRDC, believe in the community, We are taking the lead on this effort because we have heard this is what the community needs. Getting through this pilot period will also be dependant on the support we need.”
HRDC said they hope to discover how much of a need there is in the Livingston community for people in need of shelter.
“We know of five individuals that would use the shelter tonight and from what we and our community partners are experiencing we know this is a crucial need,” said HRDC Housing Director Shari Eslinger. “This is an opportunity to explore a long term solution to emergency housing in Livingston and immediately prevent neighbors from freezing in their cars or driving the pass to Bozeman for shelter.”
“So this, I think not only gives people an opportunity to have a safe place to stay but it also gives us, in the community opportunities to make connections,” said Volunteer Sara Bandstra. “To build relationships and to just really have knowledge on what is going on in our community. So I just feel like it is great.”
The shelter will run Friday-Monday from 7 pm-7 am with check-in happening at 11 pm.
To make sure the shelter stays open, HRDC says it will still need quite a bit of money, volunteers and supplies, all that can be donated on their website.
