“I have chronic PTSD and could not handle the environments at other shelters. This shelter is different. I was living in a tent that collapsed from snow. They helped me come inside. Now I have an apartment coming.” — Elena’s Way client 

Since opening its doors one year ago, the Elena’s Way Wellness Shelter has provided 9,054 bed nights to individuals who have otherwise struggled to remain sheltered or housed. That’s 9,054 times that a person stayed safe inside a welcoming shelter instead of in an encampment or on the streets! 

Often, people experiencing homelessness must adhere to strict time schedules, lining up for every meal, lining up again for a shelter cot each evening, and leaving the shelter by a certain time each morning all while carrying everything they own on their backs. At Elena’s Way, guests have control of their own time and space. They can eat and sleep when they want. They have a stable, safe place to stay and keep their belongings. Casework and medical care are provided on-site to support clients in reaching their housing, employment, and health goals.

Elena’s Way is specifically designed for people with complex physical and behavioral health needs who cannot access other shelter and who often live in a constant state of crisis. When met with flexibility, dignity, and respect, these resilient individuals are able to rest and stabilize, allowing them to pursue longer term goals.