Winter Shelter

Do not depend on the hope of results…
In the end, it is the reality of personal relationships
that saves everything.
-Thomas Merton

I truly felt a connection with this ministry…
I left Monday morning with an energized heart.
-A Winter Shelter volunteer after volunteering for the first time

The St. James Cathedral Winter Shelter provides overnight shelter and breakfast for 10-14 homeless men, age 50 and older, 4 days per week from October through April. The mission of the program is to offer shelter to homeless men in an environment of dignity, respect, love and safety. We also ask volunteers to provide a Ministry of Presence, which is based on being there, not on doing.  Winter Shelter volunteers work in pairs to host the overnight portion of the ministry or to cook breakfast in the morning once a month.

Winter Shelter "Wish List"
The Winter Shelter relies on donations to provide hygiene supplies to our guests. We can always use more non-white wash clothes, spray deodorant, individual toothbrushes, toothpaste, cough drops, chap stick or lip balm, and disposable razors. You can drop off donations at Coffee Hour following the morning Masses on Sundays, or you can drop off donations at the front desk Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. The front desk is located on the north side of Columbia St between 9th Ave and Terry Ave.  

About the Winter Shelter
Those who spend the night set up and clean up, hand out toiletries, provide light hospitality and transportation to and from the shelter, and listen with a caring ear. Those who provide breakfast bring the food, make and serve the breakfast, and do the set up and clean up for the meal. There is also time to sit with the men and enjoy some conversation over coffee. Shelter volunteers are men and women age 18 and older. To volunteer for either position, contact Patrick Barredo (pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org, 206-382-4515). 
 
The St. James Winter Shelter came into being in 1991 in response to a need presented by the Archdiocesan Housing Authority’s St. Martin de Porres Shelter. St. Martin’s can sleep 212 men a night but the need far outweighs the available space during the cold winter months, hence the satellite shelter system was created. There are now 8 local churches working with St. Martin’s to provide 34 beds a night during the winter months. Click here to find out more about St. Martin de Porres Shelter or to donate to the program.
 
We are able to hand out small toiletries to our Winter Shelter guests because of the generosity of many donors. Donations can be made during all of the coffee hours in Cathedral Hall following the 8am, 10am, and noon Masses. Simply look for the toiletries donation box and deposit your donation there. We especially wish for travel-size razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotion, and cough drops.     
 
In need of shelter? Dial 211.