Dear Supporters, 

Over the past two years, we have seen many changes to services for our most vulnerable neighbors throughout the community and within Poverello Center programs.

The main Poverello Center on Broadway serves half of the number of people we used to at night due to the public health emergency. Now, we sleep about 90 individuals each night. Pre-pandemic, that number could get as high as 175. 

During this time, all Poverello programs have seen an increase in demand.

• We are serving more meals;
• As many as 125 people stay in the City’s Emergency Winter Shelter at night between Nov. 1 and late April; and 
• More people are entering houselessness for the first time in their lives. 

There is a need for ongoing, low barrier, shelter capacity and housing in our community. 

We are grateful for Missoula City and County’s investment in services and support for our most vulnerable neighbors who need the type of services the Poverello cannot provide. The City of Missoula, in partnership with Missoula County, operates the Authorized Camping Site. In partnership with United Way and Hope Rescue Mission, Missoula County operates the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space. 

These projects are critical, so people living unsheltered don’t have to worry about finding a safe place to stay. It helps supporting agencies because they can more efficiently reach individuals to get them the help they need.

As one of the supporting agencies to these projects, Poverello’s Homeless Outreach Team, fondly known as the HOT Team, provides outreach to those locations and around the community. HOT made 3,117 face-to-face contacts in 2021 to connect people to resources ranging from IDs to sack lunches and survival supplies. 

Everyday, HOT members walk the sidewalks, alleyways, and trails of Missoula, building relationships with a fantastic group of resilient, fun, and creative individuals who are also homeless and sleeping outside. HOT provides referrals to services and follow-ups with the goal of getting individuals into permanent housing.

We invite you, as community members, to support this work of uplifting our most vulnerable neighbors through learning more about housing insecurity in Missoula and supporting our work through donations and volunteering.

Gratefully,

Jill Bonny, MSW
Executive Director
Poverello Center, Inc.