URGENT UPDATE: Safe Space Winter Shelter in Chico is gearing up for a critical winter season, launching its annual shelter from December 21 to March 1. The nonprofit is expanding its services this year with increased hours at a new drop-in center, ensuring that vulnerable residents have a safe haven during the cold months.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. each evening, guests can arrive at the back of the nonprofit’s office located at 1909 The Esplanade. They will be shuttled to one of five partner churches for overnight accommodations, including Chico First Baptist Church and Faith Lutheran Church. This initiative aims to keep individuals warm indoors until noon the following day, a critical enhancement to the shelter’s offerings.
“We hope this will make people’s mornings easier and keep them warmer,” stated Chrissi Overlock, the Shelter Operations Coordinator. This year’s expansion is particularly significant as it allows guests to stay warm for extended hours, addressing the immediate needs of the community.
After their overnight stays, guests can access the Radical Resilience program at the nonprofit’s office from 8 a.m. to noon. This program provides snacks, device charging, restroom access, and one-on-one case management, vital services that support individuals experiencing homelessness.
Safe Space Winter Shelter launched its office space earlier this year, providing a daytime hub for guests from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Overlock emphasized the challenges case managers face when trying to connect with clients often forced to move by local authorities. “Survival dictates their movement,” she explained, highlighting the program’s role in offering stability.
The new office, which opened in October 2024, features improved facilities for case managers and guests, including a common area for meals, rest, and personal hygiene. “It’s a place where guests can come without fear of being turned away,” Overlock noted, emphasizing the importance of providing a non-discriminatory environment.
Safe Space Winter Shelter operates primarily on volunteer support, which Overlock described as the “heart of its organization.” The shelter has no sobriety requirements, and couples and pets are welcomed in limited numbers, making it an inclusive option for community members in need.
With the winter season fast approaching, community members are encouraged to volunteer and contribute. More information about the shelter, including volunteer sign-ups, is available at safespacechico.org.
As temperatures drop and the need for shelter increases, the Safe Space Winter Shelter stands ready to provide crucial support to those in need. Stay tuned for further updates as the winter season unfolds.