Vineyard Church plans a Safe Bay for overnight homeless parking

Vineyard Church has proposed a new safe parking location for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and living in personal vehicles. Last night a neighborhood meeting was held with CHUM, the fire and police department, and 42 local neighbors.

The meeting was focused on the plan to transform a section of the parking lot at vineyard church into a Safe Bay for overnight parking. A variety of comments were made throughout the meeting, both positive and negative. But generally, all of the things that were expressed are things that could probably be overcome.

This Safe Bay program is not a brand-new program. It’s been in existence for two years at the Damiano Center. So, the City Council, the fire department, and the police department have been made aware of the program. Representatives then offered their insight and assurances if things went wrong.

With renovations happening at the Damiano Center this summer, those who use their Safe Bay program may be displaced. The Compassion Ministries Director, Barry Schull, spoke on why they wanted to coordinate with CHUM and make this program.

“If this gets denied, the people that sleep in their cars, well, they’ll be out on the street,” he said. “We want people to have a good safe space place where they can park their car, where they can access showers, where they can access bathrooms, and have a place to talk to people that can help them move beyond their current situation.”

The plan has been sent to City Council and will be reviewed for final approval this April. To learn more, sign up for the program, or support the program, you can reach out to Barry Schull, bschull@duluthvineyard.org or CHUM, particularly Joel Kilgour. A few details of operations and Facilities can be seen below.

Operations

• Hours of Operation: 6pm-9am, 7 days a week, May 1 – October 31 (hours of operation may vary slightly depending on staff availability)
• Management: Chum staff will be onsite during all hours of operation
• Location: Rear parking lot of Vineyard Church (1533 W Arrowhead Road)
• Clients will register with staff before parking, provide license information, and be assigned a parking spot.
• Vehicles will be spaced out with at least one parking spot between.
• Clients will sleep in their vehicles, tents are only allowed if they are attached to a vehicle or trailer.
• Children will be allowed but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.
• Pets are allowed but must be cleaned up after and leashed if outside of a vehicle
• Program and professional staff from Chum – including a dedicated street outreach worker onsite four nights a week, a peer support specialist, and community health worker – will be available to assist clients with navigating housing and services.
• Anyone whose primary residence is their personal vehicle and who follows program guidelines is welcome to stay at Safe Bay.

Facilities

• Register with staff before parking
• No visitors
• Don’t enter other people’s vehicles
• No alcohol, cannabis or drug use at Safe Bay and no driving while intoxicated
• Quiet time 10pm-6am
• Respect others’ property and personal space
• No weapons, no violence and no threats of violence
• Clean up after yourself
• Leash and clean up after your pets
• Clients will use the rear parking lot of Vineyard church, a 24″x 36″ sign at Arrowhead Road and another along the driveway will direct clients to the appropriate location
• Clients may enter the church building through the rear (food shelf) entrance to access bathrooms, potable water and showers. One shower and two single bathrooms are available to clients in the main staging area. Two other multi-stall bathrooms can be opened if needed. At least one bathroom is fully ADA accessible.
• Clients will have access to Wifi in the building and through most of the parking lot.
• Dumpsters and at least two garbage bins will be available to clients for trash disposal.
• Sharps disposal will be available at the staff station and installed in both bathrooms.
• There is an exterior light on the building and two lights in the parking lot that will be used for Safe Bay.
• Smoking will be allowed 25 feet from the building entrance and a smoker’s post will be provided for client use to dispose of cigarette butts