Reach Cold Weather Shelter Guidelines
Failure to follow these may jeopardize a resident’s stay at the shelter.
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The shelter is open to homeless persons 18 and older.
Residents must be able to care for themselves and must not be a risk to themselves or others.
The Reach Cold Weather Shelter is a temporary place to stay.
Shelter hours are 7 PM-7 AM Monday-Saturday and 3 PM-7 AM Sunday. No one will be admitted to
the shelter after 8 PM except at the discretion of shelter staff. See Shelter Rules for consequences.
No children, pets, or visitors are allowed.
We reserve the right to search residents and their belongings and cots at any time.
No one will be admitted to the shelter who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the point that
they are unaware of their surroundings or unable to walk unaided.
As a security measure, all residents will have their picture taken upon first entrance to the shelter.
Residents must respect and follow the instructions of all staff and volunteers.
Residents must respect the needs of others for quiet and privacy.
Lights are out in the sleeping areas from 10 PM until 6 AM.
Cell phones should be turned off upon entry to the shelter. All other electronic devices off by 10pm.
Residents may request a wakeup call by informing the front desk staff at sign-in.
Residents are expected to share in the upkeep and cleaning of the shelter. In addition to assigned
chores, cots must be made daily and all personal items stored beneath.
Residents are expected to shower on a regular basis. Shower hours are 7-10 PM Mon-Sat and 3-10
PM Sunday. No morning showers are permitted; however, staff or coordinators may require a
resident to shower at any time.
Residents are permitted to do one load of laundry each week and must sign up for this service in
advance. Laundry service is from 7-10 PM Mon-Sat, 3-10 PM Sun.
Residents must take any items they need with them daily. No one will be permitted to enter the
sleeping area after 7 AM.
All items left in the shelter must fit in the container under the cot. Belongings may not be left
anywhere else on shelter property.
Reach is not responsible for the security of personal belongings at any time.
Personal belongings left for seven days are considered abandoned and will be removed from the
shelter.
No food or drinks are permitted in the sleeping areas.
Reach does not dispense any medication. Residents may bring their own prescriptions into the
shelter, but they must be in a pharmacy bottle with the resident’s name on it.
Reach Cold Weather Shelter Rules
The following rules are critical to the safety and well-being of residents, staff, and volunteers. Rules are read
to residents upon arrival and residents must sign and date a form indicating that they understand them. If a
resident is asked to leave the shelter for violating a rule and they refuse, police will be summoned. Multiple
or repeated violations of any rules could result in permanent barring from the shelter. We will attempt to
provide residents with copies of violation reports and residents may present a 5-minute explanation about
the violation to the Shelter Support Committee the following Thursday at 5:15 PM.
Behavior
Consequence
1. Engaging in Physical Violence
Permanent Barring
2. Threats or verbal attack
Permanent barring
3. Possession of weapon after sign in search
Permanent barring
4. Theft or Vandalism
Permanent barring
5. Smoking or open flame inside shelter
Seasonal barring
6. Possession of drugs or alcohol
Min 7 day barring, 2 instances=seasonal barring
7. No show/late arrival without prior
permission
Min 7 day barring, 2 instances=seasonal barring
8. Intimate behavior or activity
2 warnings=3 day barring, 2 instances=seasonal
9. Non-compliance with staff or
management
2 warnings=3 day barring, 2 instances=seasonal
Violation of Rules 1-4 will result in permanent barring:
1. Engaging in physical violence is forbidden. This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking etc
2. Threats of any kind against anyone in the shelter or on the property are forbidden. This includes
obscene language and gestures.
3. Weapons are forbidden on shelter property and must be surrendered upon entrance. Knives,
scissors, and similar objects are considered weapons and must be given to shelter staff for safe
keeping for the night. If a gun is discovered, police will be summoned.
4. Theft and vandalism are forbidden.
Violation of Rule 5 will result in a seasonal barring:
5. No smoking or having an open flame inside the shelter. Examples of open flame include lighted
candles or use of a lighter inside the shelter premises.
Violation of Rules 6-7 will result in a 7 day barring for the first instance, seasonal barring for the second
incidence:
6. Alcohol is forbidden on the premises. If discovered, it will be disposed of and the resident will be
barred. If, however, the resident discloses and relinquishes alcohol upon entry they will not be
barred. Illegal drugs are forbidden. If illegal drugs are discovered, police will be summoned. All
prescriptions must be in original bottles and named for the resident only.
7. Late arrival or absence after 8 PM and/or a “no show” without prior approval of shelter staff. The
shelter staff can allow for passes on a case by case basis and they must be obtained prior to leaving
the shelter in the a.m. Residents must confer with the Shelter Manager if they have a special
situation.
Violation of Rules 8-9 will result 2 warnings then a 3-day barring. Second occurrence results in a seasonal
barring from the shelter:
8. Physical touching or intimacy, such as hugging, kissing, or sitting on laps is prohibited. Men are not
allowed in the ladies’ area and ladies are not allowed in the men’s area past the laundry room. In the
common areas, residents must be dressed in street clothes at all times.
9. Non compliance with a request made by staff or volunteers will result in a seasonal barring after your
second incidence. Requests are made with the benefit of all shelter residents in mind.