Ashland, Ore. — As winter gets closer, churches and shelters across the Rogue Valley are opening, providing a warm room for the homeless population to spend the night in.
Three transients died last year in the freezing temperatures, and Leigh Madsen, the Executive Director of the Ashland Community Resource Center said they’re working to make sure that doesn’t happen this winter.
“We have people here who will die this year, if they’re not protected, I can tell you their names, I can show you the people,” Madsen said. “People will die because it’s too cold to live outside, even in a tent.”
In Ashland, there are shelters open Monday through Thursday, however there aren’t any available Friday through Sunday.
The First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, located at 1615 Clark Avenue, is open on Monday night. On Tuesday and Thursday, Pioneer Hall in Lithia Park is open as a shelter. On Wednesday, the Trinity Episcopal Church, located on 44 N. 2nd street is open. On Friday through Sunday, the City of Ashland will open a temporary shelter if the temperature gets below 20 degrees.
In Medford, the Medford Gospel Mission has two shelters. The men’s shelter is located on 125 W. Jackson Street. The Women & Children’s Shelter is located on 534 N. Bartlett Street.
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