Newly-discharged PeaceHealth patients who are homeless now have an option for safe shelter.
Through a partnership between St. Vincent de Paul and Peacehealth, five Pallet shelters have been specifically set up at the Dawn to Dawn site off of Highway 99 North. The small structures were built with a $74,000 grant from the health organization. The purchase of the shelters themselves were paid for by Lane County through the federal CARES Act and made available (through a no-cost lease) to St. Vincents and other agencies that serve the unhoused population.
Terry McDonald is executive director of St. Vinny’s. He says PeaceHealth recognized the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on shelter capacity, which led to this collaboration.
“The intent was to try and be as compassionate as possible to help people that are in recovery from a hospitalization, to be able to recover in a place that is secure, safe, but still provides the necessary services to support them.”
The shelters were among 25 installed in December at the Dawn to Dawn site. Availability is based on a referral system through PeaceHealth.
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