The nonprofit Safe Space Winter Shelter is set to launch its annual winter program, aiming to provide vital support for homeless individuals in Chico. From December 21, 2023, until March 1, 2024, the shelter will partner with five local churches, offering enhanced services and extended hours to those in need.
Expanded Shelter Hours and Locations
This year, guests can arrive at the nonprofit’s office at 1909 The Esplanade between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.. They will then be transported by shuttle to one of the participating churches, including Chico First Baptist Church, Hope Commons Church, Faith Lutheran Church of Chico, Chico Trinity United Methodist Church, and First Christian Chico, where they can stay overnight.
According to Chrissi Overlock, the Shelter Operation Coordinator, this winter season will allow guests to remain indoors from 5:30 p.m. until noon the following day. Overlock expressed hope that these changes would “make people’s mornings easier and keep people warmer.”
Radical Resilience Program and New Office Facilities
After their overnight stay, guests have access to the Radical Resilience program at the nonprofit’s office, available from 8 a.m. to noon. This program offers snacks, device charging, restroom facilities, and personalized case management services.
In a significant development, the shelter opened its office space for the first time in August 2023, allowing guests to utilize the Radical Resilience program from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Overlock noted that this space serves as a hub for case managers to connect with clients, who often face challenges when living on the street.
“The main difficulty for case managers is trying to meet their clients to provide services,” Overlock explained, as many clients are instructed by law enforcement to vacate areas where they may attempt to reside. The Radical Resilience program offers a stable environment where individuals can receive assistance.
The new office space, which opened in October 2023, features improvements for both guests and staff. The facility includes dedicated areas for the three full-time case managers and a common area for guests to relax, eat, and rest. “It’s a place where guests can come; they’re not being told they have to go,” Overlock stated. “They know that there’s stuff here for them and that they’re not going to be discriminated against.”
Safe Space Winter Shelter operates with a strong reliance on volunteers, who Overlock describes as the “heart of the organization.” The shelter maintains a welcoming environment, with no sobriety requirements, allowing couples to stay together and pets to accompany guests in limited numbers.
For more information on the shelter’s programs and volunteer opportunities, interested individuals can visit safespacechico.org.
