Fifty volunteers are needed to cover a shift at one of Multnomah County’s severe weather shelters on Thursday night and Friday early.
The county is trying to staff its six shelters in the Portland metro area as low temperatures and freezing rain are predicted to persist throughout the evening. Two more shelters will be opened by officials on Thursday evening.
While anyone can sign up, the county encouraged anyone with social services or medical experience, or those who have finished the volunteer training, to think about working a shift. The county’s volunteer website provides interested Good Samaritans with more information about what the experience could entail.
Those who have little time to prepare and are new to volunteering should at the very least complete training on bloodborne infections and how to deliver naloxone, a medicine that reverses an overdose, according to county officials.
According to county officials, volunteers should pick a nearby shelter that is safe to get to.
Below are the shelter locations and volunteer sign-up links:
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Cook Plaza 2nd Floor
, 19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham
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Friendly House
, 1737 N.W. 26th Ave., Portland
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Bud Clark Commons Warming Shelter
, 650 N.W. Irving St., Portland
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Charles Jordan Community Center
, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
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Grand Oak Shelter
, 324 S.E. Grand Ave., Portland
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Ascension Church Tony Rinella Hall
, 823 S.E. 76th Ave., Portland
489 people sought shelter at the weather shelters Wednesday night, according to county officials.
National Weather Service Meteorologist David Bishop says freezing rain is expected to begin in the Portland area as early as 6 p.m. He told The Oregonian/OregonLive that it will probably turn into snow between three and five in the morning.
Austin De Dios reports on programs, politics, and other topics in Multnomah County. You can reach him at @AustinDeDios, [email protected], or 503-319-9744.
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