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For Some There's No Where To Go
Medford, Oregon
On a night when temperatures fall below freezing, some are left out in the cold. On Monday, a woman on her way to work found a man who died, apparently from exposure to the night cold temperatures.
The unnamed 29-year-old man, a known transient from Ashland was on his way somewhere. When police found him he was wearing only pants, with other clothing and belongings laying nearby. Because the Medford Gospel Mission is the only real shelter in the valley, some believe it may have been organizations rules and restrictions that kept the deceased man from going there.
The Medford Gospel Mission says they will welcome anyone on any night that temperatures fall below 32 degrees. A snowflake is placed in the front window to let people know they will make exceptions for anyone who has previously been restricted or have run up their time stayed.
There are no real shelters in Ashland, but a church opens as a warming station on Monday's as well as when those freezing temps hit the valley. Tonight's low according to accuweather.com is 22°.
http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Ashland&state=OR
About the Author
Travis Koch
NBC5 News reporter Travis Koch started his career as a filmmaker. He wrote and directed documentaries about traveling and extreme sports.
Among his many life experiences, he was a dog musher in Alaska and a baker in Minnesota. Travis began his career at NBC5 News as a weekend photographer and has continued to follow his dreams in television broadcasting and multimedia.
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(541) 779-5555
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125 South Fir Street
Medford, OR 97501
Comments (3)
Miss information given tonight by young man that was interviewed. The Gospel Mission men and women shelter never turns anyone away regardless of time on any night the temperature dips below freezing.
Janet Fairrington, director
Medford Gospel Mission Women's Shelter
There is, and has been, a cold weather safety-net provided by the Mission for the past 3 years.
It always has been, and still remains, our desire to provide a safe and sober environment for the 60-85 men, women, and children who stay with us each night.
In 2009 we began to explore ways to extend a cold weather safety net to men and women who fell outside of the Mission's guidelines. In that year we implemented a policy that allows these men and women to stay with us in an area set aside and separated from the other guests. Each night that the weather was below 32 degrees in the past 30 days we have provided a warm sleeping space for 3-9 extra men. Women & children's numbers are confidential but there have been extra guests there also.
The policy may be found on our website
Please feel free to share this info and website for the safety of all.
Will Holmbeck
Men's Program Director
Medford Gospel Mission
Website is http://www.medfordgospelmission.org/freezenights.html