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Code Blue Status Enacted at HRDC’s Emergency Shelters

HRDC logo. Logo contains a branch leaf. Text reads, HRDC Building a Better Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2022

Brian Guyer, Housing Director, 406-585-4881
Jenna Huey, Emergency Shelter Services Manager, 406-585-4856
Penny Johnson, Communications Manager, 303-828-8481

FRIGID TEMPERATURES CAUSE CODE BLUE STATUS TO BE ACTIVATED AT HRDC’S WARMING CENTERS DESPITE FUNDING CHALLENGES

Community members who are unhoused are at high risk for exposure-related injury given the frigid temperatures that are plaguing Southwest Montana. Increasing colder temperatures are forecast in the coming days leading up to the holiday weekend. These extreme weather conditions include snow and a projected overnight low on Thursday in Bozeman of minus 31 degrees with similar conditions in Livingston. HRDC’s shelters’ designated Code Blue status will remain inplace through 9:00 am on Saturday, December 24th.


Photo of bunkbeds inside of the warming center.

Brian Guyer, HRDC’s Housing Director, issued the Code Blue designation yesterday for Bozeman’s Warming Center saying, “Keeping our shelter open during daytime hours is a very necessary, but costly action to take. While our emergency shelters are currently not funded to provide shelter services during the day, we are extremely concerned about our guests’ safety and can use all the support the community can provide to help us keep our doors open.” Guyer 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 our donors, and currently, round-the-clock services are not supported.” 

HRDC recently announced a substantial donation received from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund which was specifically designated to support two areas of need: (1) the construction of family specific shelter space within Homeward Point at Community Commons, HRDC’s future shelter, and (2) the development of new programming. None of this new funding may be applied to current shelter operations.

“Between securing adequate operational funding and staff, 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. “Beyond all else, we believe everyone deserves a warm safe place to sleep at night and with the community’s help, we will be able to remain open during this period of severe weather so that people can come in out of the cold.”

With nine lives lost in the Bozeman area two years ago due to exposure-related causes, HRDC firmly believes the community not only deserves better, but can do better. Given the lengthy cold streak in place, additional financial support is immediately needed to ensure the safety of all community members. 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, hand warmers, foot warmers, winter gloves, new winter socks, and winter hats are also welcomed at this time.

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