Blake Bural is the architect designing United Way’s new overnight shelter for women. AC + Co is honored to take part in helping United Way provide a dedicated building for women who need a place to stay, safe and off the streets.
This project has been made possible through the partnership of Inside Out Ministries and United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. The church is the backbone on the shelter and the goal is to house 50 women. It will be operational 365 days a year and open 7pm – 7am every night.
It originally gained permitting through the City of Salem to open from up to 10 women as an emergent need and following the City’s declaration of a housing emergency, Safe Sleep United was able to expand to 19 shelter beds. The current design project includes adding more restrooms, showers, and a commercial kitchen and opening up the current building layout to accommodate more beds.
From United Way SafeSleep United:
AN OVERNIGHT WOMEN’S SHELTER PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR UNSHELTERED SISTERS TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
There are over 450 women living on the streets in Marion County at any given time. These women are subject to increased risk of assault, rape and robbery every day.
We’re working to change that. With the support of our community partner, Inside Out Ministries, we’re launching a new overnight shelter for women.
SafeSleep is a community solution to an ever-growing problem. We are providing a safe, warm, secure place for women to sleep, eat and have access to wrap around supports that increase their chances of rebuilding their lives.
We need your help to make it happen as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the more women on the streets will suffer needlessly.
Learn more about SafeSleep United at United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley