The Jefferson County Winter Shelter is set to open for its 13th season on Wednesday, Nov. 1 and is to be open daily through March 31 at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St., in Port Townsend.

The Winter Shelter is operated through a cooperative agreement between COAST (Community Outreach Association Shelter Team, founders of the program), OlyCAP (Olympic Community Action Programs) and American Legion Marvin G. Shields Memorial Post No. 26.

COAST coordinates as many as 500 volunteers from local faith-based communities, civic groups, businesses and individual citizens, who make the shelter and food services possible.

This year, deForest Walker, executive director of COAST, said shelter organizers are preparing for the possibility of another very cold winter.

As in past years, Walker encourages people in need of shelter to check in at the shelter each day as close to the 4 p.m. check-in time as possible.

“We need to ensure we do not exceed our occupancy limit,” she said, adding, “We don’t want to be in the position of turning people away.”

WHO AND HOW

The shelter serves single adults over the age of 18 years and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with military veterans, senior citizens, victims of domestic violence and persons with physical disabilities given priority for service.

Both men and women are to be sheltered at the American Legion in Port Townsend. To check in at the shelter, single men and women should go to the building’s lower level, which is down the driveway off Monroe and to the right of the building, and enter through the last, large double door on the left.

Adults seeking shelter should arrive at check-in time at 4 p.m. and no later than 5 p.m. All guests leave for the day by 8 a.m. each morning.

Arrangements can be made for those who are working or have medical appointments out of town, but Walker says, “People know about these needs in advance, and so they should let shelter staff know ahead of time.

My advice to shelter seekers is to be there before 5 p.m.”

NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS

Walker also wants those in need of shelter to know that anyone coming to the shelter who is inebriated by alcohol or drugs to the point that they are unable to follow program rules or to move through the shelter safely and courteously will not be admitted.

No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed anywhere on the property. “In our winter weather, we are especially concerned for our senior citizens, military veterans and folks who are physically disabled,” she said.

PERMANENT SHELTER

The number of people experiencing homelessness is increasing, locally and nationally, in proportion to the lack of affordable housing, Walker said, adding that she knows of people who have stayed at the shelter and have found permanent housing and jobs as a result of their shelter stay.

One of the services veterans may find useful is that offered by service officers who can assist them in getting benefits they are entitled to, Walker said.

COAST is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Financial contributions are welcome this year due to the rising costs of food and supplies, Walker said.

"On behalf of COAST and the Jefferson County Winter Shelter, we remain grateful for the support from our compassionate community that makes a new season of winter shelter possible,” Walker said.