Our History
The Sisters Cold Weather Shelter began their operations in 2018 under the guidance and auspices of Shepherd’s House in Bend, along with support from NeighborImpact, and Bethlehem Inn. Our focus was serving the unhoused population in the greater Sisters area, mainly during the winter months. The local churches provided the original shelters. We became an Oregon 501(C)3 non-profit corporation effective August 12, 2020. At that time, the Sisters Cold Weather Shelter separated from Shepherd’s House and proceeded to seek a local shelter facility. The Shelter staff and volunteers have received professional guidance and training in running a healthy, safe and respectful operation.
Aside from our dedicated team, SCWS works with the larger community to fulfill its mission. Sisters is a giving community that consistently steps up to donate and provide meals and other services that allow the shelter to operate successfully. As the Board works toward establishing a permanent shelter space, area churches have been a vital partner in providing space to host the shelter during the coldest months of the year.
In 2020, Sisters Cold Weather Shelter was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit to continue our mission and achieve our goal to provide shelter, advocacy, and resources for the Sisters Houseless Community. As seen elsewhere in the United States, the number of individuals and families experiencing houselessness is on the rise in Sisters. The root causes of being without safe and consistent shelter, inadequate community inclusion, and food insecurity are numerous and complex. As SCWS continues to advocate for systemic solutions to these issues, the Board and our volunteers are able to save lives by keeping our neighbors out of extreme temperatures and connected to valuable resources.