(WSB file photo)
After today, the Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle will be closed for several weeks of work. That’s sooner than first announced, according to the announcement we received following a vote of the shelter’s board:
The shelter has moved its closure date to April 3 (instead of April 15 as previously scheduled). The Warm Up Center at the American Legion Hall is currently closed for several weeks of facility improvements such as bathroom remodeling (which has already begun), kitchen cleaning, door lock changes, and shelter policy development. During this time, no breakfast or other services will be available, and the grounds and building will be closed to the public. (Dinner and overnight stays ended for the season on March 31.)
The Warm Up Center will re-open for breakfast, showers, assistance with forms and housing, and clothing help on a date to be announced soon.Our Amazon wish list is still active for donations, which will be needed when the Warm Up Center re-opens. Thank you to our caring community for all the help we received this winter. See you in a few weeks!
We asked board member Laurie Utterback, who sent that announcement, why they decided to close early. Her reply:
A couple reasons. Our construction professional is donating his time, and these dates fit with his schedule. Also, given the recent incident of escalated violence in the encampment nearby, the board decided that we need more time to develop a stronger security protocol for staff and volunteers for the safety of everyone coming into the Legion Hall.