Missoula, MT — On a bitterly cold Tuesday evening, a line of people gathered outside the Montana Rescue Mission (MRM), waiting to enter the emergency shelter. As temperatures dipped to a forecasted low of minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, the shelter became a crucial refuge for those without a home.
Security staff carefully checked each person before allowing entry into the low-barrier shelter, designed to accommodate as many individuals as possible with minimal restrictions. Beatriz Villanueva, MRM’s development director, emphasized the shelter’s open-door policy, stating, “Our emergency shelter is a low-barrier program, and there’s very little restriction there.”
Once inside, guests could find respite from the harsh winter conditions. The MRM operates 24 hours a day, especially during the winter months, when the shelter has been placed on “Code Blue” to ensure no one is turned away.
James Allen, a carnival worker from Louisiana, knows firsthand the dangers of surviving outdoors in sub-zero temperatures. “I lost a toe to frostbite,” Allen shared, reflecting on his years of living on the streets. “It is what it is. You just try to live another day out here and make it go through.”
Allen, who has been homeless for over a decade, noted the mental strength required to endure life on the streets. “For somebody to live out on these streets, it takes a lot of mental strength to really understand what’s going on,” he said.
The shelter’s efforts to support individuals like Allen go beyond just providing shelter from the cold. MRM offers three meals a day, along with showers and other basic necessities. Villanueva revealed that the shelter provides over 500 showers a week, helping to maintain dignity and cleanliness for those staying there.
Though the shelter typically houses around 100 individuals per night, the number can climb to 125 when demand is high. Villanueva expressed the mission’s deep commitment to those in need: “It’s a blessing that we get to be a part of something so important and just help as many people as we can.”
For Johnny Torres and his family, the shelter has been a lifesaver. Torres, who now stays at the long-term shelter with his wife and 2-year-old son, knows all too well what it’s like to face homelessness. “I was living in a car,” he recalled. “Yeah, so living in the car, freezing, and they helped us out and gave us what we needed.”
The mission’s impact extends beyond providing temporary shelter. Many residents, like Torres, speak of the hope and support they receive during their stay. “It gives people hope,” Torres said. “You know, you don’t have no hope, you got nothing. They get that, they get the hope.”
For others like Martin Cummings and Robert Holmes, the shelter has been a critical support system during a challenging time. “It’s good, it’s OK,” said Cummings, who currently stays at the emergency shelter. Holmes, experiencing homelessness for the first time, shared, “It’s a tough, tough deal. It’s not to be messing with.”
While staying at the MRM, many individuals, including those like Earl from New York, have found not only shelter but also a sense of purpose and the opportunity for rehabilitation. “They keep you over and they want to help rehabilitate you,” Earl said.
The Montana Rescue Mission’s dedication to providing both physical shelter and emotional support makes it a vital resource for the community, offering hope and a fresh start to those facing some of the most difficult challenges of their lives.
