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News Advisory – Code Blue Protocol to Be Implemented at Local Emergency Shelter for the Second Time this Winter

Despite Ongoing Funding Challenges, HRDC’s Bozeman Warming Center Will Extend Services to Ensure the Safety of All Community Members

Logo for the HRDC Warming Center. Logo is of a house. The text reads, Warming Center, A Program of HRDC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2023

Contact:

Penny Johnson
Communications Managers HRDC
pjohnson@thehrdc.org
303-828-8481 (mobile)

Hours will be extended at HRDC’s Bozeman Warming Center to ensure everyone has a warm, safe space to stay as temperatures drop below zero in the coming days. While subject to change depending on weather conditions, HRDC is planning to deploy the Code Blue status on Sunday and Monday, Jan. 29 and 30. In addition to round-the-clock shelter, any previous guests with a suspension status will be provided access to the shelter during the Code Blue designation.

“HRDC’s priority during cold snaps is to make sure that vulnerable members of our community can come inside and safely shelter from the frigid temperatures,” stated Brian Guyer, HRDC’s Housing Director.

Photo of multiple bunk beds inside of the HRDC warming center. Community members who are unhoused are at high risk for exposure-related injury given the frigid temperatures that are expected to plague the Bozeman area for a second time this winter. The extreme weather conditions currently in the forecast include projected overnight lows nearing minus 20 degrees with heavy amounts of snow preceding the icy-cold temperatures.

“Keeping our shelter open during daytime hours is a very necessary, but costly action to take. While our emergency shelter is currently not funded to provide services during the day, we are extremely concerned about our guests’ safety and HRDC can use all the support the community can provide to help us keep our doors open,” said Guyer. He continued, “It is not well understood that our Warming Centers do not have funding for year-round, 24/7 operation. To be clear, the level of response we can provide to our community members needing shelter is directly tied to the level of support provided by donors, and currently, round-the-clock services are not supported.”

“We are challenged on a daily basis to serve community members who are struggling to find housing and who have nowhere else to turn,” added Jenna Huey, HRDC’s Emergency Shelter Services Manager. “Our ongoing outreach efforts to connect with community members who are living in vehicles and other non-traditional forms of shelter will be increased in the coming days to help ensure everyone is aware of our shelter services and that they are welcome to come in out of the cold.”

HRDC’s Livingston Warming Center will maintain its regular schedule from 7 pm – 7 am each day. Any guests with suspended service will be permitted to stay at the facility, and if demand exceeds capacity at the Bozeman location, HRDC may choose to use the Livingston location as contingency shelter.

Cash donations to the Bozeman and Livingston Warming Centers can be made online by visiting https://thehrdc.org/donate/ or can be submitted by mail to HRDC, c/o The Warming Center, 32 S. Tracy Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715. In addition to cash donations, hats, gloves, socks, hand warmers, and cleaning supplies are also welcomed at this time.

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Brooke Poole

Public Sector

Since 2015, Brooke has been working with Allergan Aesthetics, Body Contouring. In 2018, Brooke began her role as Senior Manager of Training. Brooke graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Commercial Photography from Appalachian State University in 2011.

Brooke began her role on our Board in 2019. However, she feels it’s more fitting to say that she gets to serve on our Board. For Brooke, an evening at our Fork & Spoon was her first glance into our organization’s powerful work. As Brooke states, joining the Board has only expanded her appreciation for the caliber of people leading our mission and the impact of our vast ecosystem of services. While metrics alone are impressive, Brooke likes to visualize each number as an individual example of support – an extension of a helping hand, a moment of relief – given to one of our neighbors. She is grateful for the opportunity to participate in shaping HRDC’s future.

Although Brooke spends most of her volunteer time with HRDC, she was fortunate enough to build with Habitat for Humanity over the course of the summer in 2020. Her favorite place to spend time is anywhere under the Big Sky, although Hyalite may be her favorite place on Earth.

Ron Brey

Public Sector

Ron served as Bozeman’s Assistant City Manager from 1990 to 2008. After retiring, Ron joined our Board in 2011. Ron received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Montana in 1977, and his Masters in Science in Rural, Town, and Regional Planning from the University of Montana in 1987.

During his time with the City of Bozeman, Ron saw the important role that HRDC has played in our community. Ron has seen that HRDC provides necessary social services to assure that all Bozeman residents could obtain housing, food, training, employment and the other necessities of life. He also came to understand that HRDC was always able to respond immediately as new community needs arose. Ron believes that the dedication, hard work, and compassion of HRDC’s staff make it a real honor to serve on the Board.

Ron also serves on the Trails, Open Space and Parks Committee for the City of Bozeman, and as a volunteer with the Red Cross. One of Ron’s favorite activities is walking his beloved dog every day, enjoying many of Bozeman’s trails and parks, like Burke Park, Bozeman Creek, and the Hyalite and Mount Ellis areas. Ron and his wife Claire enjoy spending their days with family, friends, and time outdoors.