Valeo Vocation will operate an inclement weather shelter at the Eastside Community Center when weather conditions necessitate the opening of the shelter. The shelter will provide a safe, warm space with restrooms, food, and sleeping mats for those who stay overnight. Valeo staff will be responsible for opening the shelter, coordinating meal delivery and distribution, providing security, conducting COVID screenings, and enforcing social distancing guidelines.

“The ECC Warming Center weekly schedule will be determined each Monday at noon and reviewed on Wednesday. Days of operation will be based on when forecasts assume inclement weather. Inclement weather is deemed to be when the outside temperature is at 32 degrees or below. It is the option to open the shelter when the weather is forecasted to be 35 degrees with a wind chill dropping the temperature to 32 degrees. https://www.cityoftacoma.org/in_the_news/warming_center_for_winter_weather_established

Once the shelter is determined to be open (07:00 am), it will operate for a full 24 hours as both a day shelter and overnight shelter. When the shelter is determined to be closed, it will close the next morning at 10:00 am.

Shelter beds will be on a first-come-first-serve basis until a capacity of 40 is reached. Service providers may call ahead to reserve a bed for a client they are referring to. Referrals must report in person within 2 hours of the referral call or their bed will no longer be reserved. Individuals can call at any time to check bed availability and can self-reserve a bed after 7 PM if there are any openings.

Communication with the shelter will be via the site phone at 253.392.4014. This phone will be manned Saturday at 0700 and thereafter.

Mike Boisture, Shelter Manager

Valeo Vocation

253.381.4365