Springfield respite shelter gets new caretakers

The nonprofit Carry It Forward has been operating the respite shelter at the Memorial Building on A Street since April 11.

A temporary homeless shelter in springfield set up during the pandemic is under new management.

As kezi 9 news reporter michael sevren shows they're running it a bit different but still have the same goal.

Stand up: for just over a week and half the nonprofit carry it forward has been managing this temporary homeless shelter here at the memorial building springfield.

They say they are working to make it a community while keeping everyone safe.

Inside the memorial building, more than 30 people experiencing homelessness have a roof over their heads originally run by saint vincent de paul, officials at lane county public health say they switched to carry it forward because of the cost.

Their paying the nonprofit 16 thousand dollars a week to keep it open.

Saving tax payers five thousand dollars a week.

Arwen maas- despain is the executive director for the nonprofit.

She says they encourage residents to help out.

Sot: we have just a lot involvement from the residents in terms of taking care space and it's been really rewarding from them to get involved and be part of the process.

She says around 20 people run the site 24 hour a day seven days week.

They are taking health precaution including checking everyone's temaptures at the door.

Stand up coming up in the next hour on kezi 9 news at 5 ill tell you how a coalition isnt giving up hope to transform the building into a permanent day-use shelter.

In springfield im michael sevren kezi 9 news.

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