Change and Hope | A Letter from Jill
It’s been almost a month since the Johnson Street Shelter closed, and we’re finding our new rhythm at the Poverello Center. Our main shelter on Broadway is nearly full every night and we anticipate reaching capacity very soon.
Our staff, smaller than last year due to lost Johnson Street funding, is working harder than ever to meet the need. Balancing safety, compassion, and dignity while running at capacity isn’t easy, but this team shows up every day with grit, heart, and humor. They are the steady hands and kind hearts behind every meal served and every guest welcomed. We are incredibly grateful to this team of dedicated staff members; they are proof that even when resources are stretched thin, kindness and courage can make all the difference.
But this season feels heavier. Across Missoula, service providers, healthcare workers, and housing partners are all stretched thin. And most of all, our unhoused neighbors are feeling the uncertainty of another long winter ahead. No one should have to wonder where they’ll sleep when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Every night, we meet people who are simply trying to survive, people who want to work, to heal, to find stability. One guest recently told us, “Without the Poverello, I don’t know how I’d make it through the night.” That’s what your support means.
This moment is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to come together and keep hope alive. We’re using it to rethink and refocus, exploring ways to make our shelter more housing-focused, even without added funding. Our mission remains the same: food, shelter, help, and hope for all who ask.
And hope is being built, literally. The future home of our veterans’ transitional housing is moving forward. As the former Clark Fork Inn at Scott and Broadway comes down, we’re preparing to rebuild something truly special: stability and dignity for those who served our country.
This work takes all of us. Donors, volunteers, advocates, staff, and neighbors who believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Together, we can make sure Missoula remains a community that shows up for one another, no matter the storm.
If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a difference this winter, this is it. Your gift helps keep our doors open, our lights on, and a warm bed ready for the next person who needs us. Please volunteer, donate, or simply share our story. Thank you for standing with us. Hope grows when we build it together.