Salvation Army and Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness team up to offer new Warming Center

PALMER — The Mat-Su Salvation Army, Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, and the Mat-Su Health Foundation recently teamed up to establish a new warming center to support the local transient population through the cold winter months.

“All three of us are working together to give a place where people can come in out of the cold,” Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps Officer Major Kevin E. Bottjen said.

The warming center is located at the Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps office in Palmer. Local homeless looking for a warm place out of the elements can stay on nights 15 degrees or lower.

The center opens at 6 p.m. and starts serving food at that time. There are numerous tables with chairs spread out throughout the interior of the building, with water, snacks, a bathroom, and television showing local news.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness coordinator Dave Rose said.

The warm center’s first day of operation was Jan. 27. Bottjen said no one showed up, and they’re working to get the word out so people can know the option is available.

“It’ll be better when people actually come,” Bottjen said. “I was actually very sad no one took advantage of it last night. It breaks my heart knowing people are out there freezing... If this even just helps a few people a night, it’s worth it.”

Bottjen said there’s several grab and go bags filled with snacks, socks, and other items visitors can take on their way out. He said they can stay all night, up to 6 a.m.

He noted that it’s not a shelter, so there are no beds or cots. He said the fire code mandates that the center cannot be set up for sleep, but visitors can sit back and relax in the warmth as long as they need.

“It’s nothing fancy, but if it’s being out in the cold in a tent at zero degrees or being in a warm building on a soft chair, I think I’d choose the warm building and soft chair,” Bottjen said.

According to Bottjen, the maximum capacity is 15 people. He said the doors lock at 9 p.m. and anyone who leaves past that time cannot come back that night. He said they cannot accept anyone who is intoxicated.

Bottjen said they’re hiring up to four part-time employees for the center, and they’re seeking additional volunteers to help out.

The Salvation Army and Coalition have been working to get this project off the ground for over a year and half.

Bottjen said they’re waiting to find out more about potential funding options for their long awaited remodel and expansion. He said one of their primary goals for after the remodel is to start offering after school programs.

Even further down the road, perhaps five to 10 years, he aspires to eventually open a bonafide homeless shelter. He said he hopes they can start preparing for the remodel as soon as they can, but he isn’t sure how long it’s going to take.

“It’s a pie dream until it happens,” Bottjen said. “One day sombody’s gotta open up a homeless shelter in the Valley… It’s gonna require a lot, but we need it.”

Bottjen said they check the temperature regularly to see if it reaches 15 degrees or lower. He said they eventually plan to install an update message on their electronic sign in the parking lot, informing the public whether or not the warm center is open.

The Coalition will be posting the warm center’s status on a regular basis on their Facebook page.

Rose said the Coalition and Salvation Army researched various models across the nation to map out how they could establish their own while staying within the codes and regulations. He said they formed a crisis housing work group with about 12 different agencies to help solidify a realistic plan.

“We finally came up with a model that fit all the pieces of the puzzle together,” Rose said.

Rose said the Coalition brought the proposal to MSFH who provided them with a grant to get the project off the ground and fund the new part time employees the Salvation Army is looking to hire.

“I think it’s extremely helpful and extremely important… It’s not a shelter, but a step in the right direction,” Rose said.

Rose noted that visiting homeless can also learn more about other resources such as drug and alcohol treatment they can access to help improve their situation.

“It’s a chance for us to ask, ‘what can we do to help you a little bit more?’” Rose said.

Rose hopes this warm center will help inspire other groups across the Valley to start similar services of their own. He said this model could be easily replicated, and building up additional resources will ultimately pave the way for new services and a stronger and more supportive network for the local homeless population.

“There are all sorts of possibilities, but you’ve got to start somewhere and see where it goes,” Rose said.

Aside from volunteering, Rose said the community can support their cause by donating food, socks, and other items to help them fill the grab and go bags. He said they can also help by spreading the word, and can reach out for fliers.

They’re working with Valley Transit who will provide free pick ups at the Warm Center in the morning. Mat-Su Health Services also agreed to provide COVID-19 tests for any guest who’s interested.

For more information, call 907-232-4450, email matsuhousing@gmail.com, or visit mschh.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com