Carrie Skuzeski

News Section

Homeless Shelter Policies

503-929-9942

cskuzeski@linfield.edu

The homeless people of McMinnville are no strangers to many

Linfield students. Several do their best to say hello or offer

money, food or other supplies. The homeless are a part of the

community that can often be overlooked, but as winter nears and

the weather turns colder, some students may be wondering where

these people can turn for shelter and warmth.

Shelters and rescue missions can provide meals, a place to

stay and resources to help the troubled individuals to get back

on their feet. But most do not know the rules and restrictions

that go along with the assistance that is offered at such

establishments.

Two homeless men named Steve and Daryl can usually be found

on the front stoop of the True Vine Christen Fellowship church on

Fourth Street in McMinnville. They choose to sleep there instead

of a shelter, rain or shine, for a list of reasons.

“We have no where to get off the street that’s legal. Being

legally able to sit here is really quite nice,” Steve said. The

True Vine Christen Fellowship church is the only location in town

that allows them to stay there.

The mission’s rules also play a role in their decision to

steer clear of the shelter.

“The reason why it didn’t work for me is because I have a

bad memory and I kept taking my cigarettes out of my pocket. And

the people that are there to monitor the place, that’s breaking

the rules. You aren’t supposed to take your cigarettes out of

your pocket until your outside. I can’t remember those rules, so

I had to go,” Steve said.

He explained that if a homeless person were trying to enter

a rescue mission, they could not be in a romantic relationship

without legal documents proving that they are married to someone.

It is required that each person arrive at the shelter at a

specific time every night, attend meals at a set time, search for

a job every day and attend drug and alcohol meetings if

necessary. They must agree to take random Breathalyzer tests and

urine analysis tests upon entering the rescue mission program

that allows them 30 days of shelter, food and other resources

until they must leave.

Ellen Allen, a volunteer at the Yamhill County Gospel Rescue

Mission, confirmed that all of these rules apply to those seeking

the mission’s assistance.

“There’s nothing in the rules that say you cannot have an

outside life,” Allen said. She finds it necessary for the

mission’s participants to follow the rules in order for

everything to run smoothly. Allen, along with many other

volunteers at the mission, is truly concerned for the well being

of the homeless population in McMinnville. “They’re treated like

they’re dirty and that’s not right,” Allen said.

In Allen’s opinion, stubbornness is the reason that not

every individual complies with the mission’s rules. “When it

comes to men they are more set in their ways. They want to do

what they want to do, when they want,” Allen said.

In contrast to Allen’s thoughts, Steve and Daryl are still

convinced that the rescue mission’s policies are not realistic

for everyone.

“We’re not young looking for work, and (we are) not walking

and talking like them. We’re not pretending to be Christian,”

Steve said.

Steve and Daryl show that sticking to their principles may

be more important than a warm bed.