Jefferson County Winter Shelter

Winter Homeless Shelter at American Legion Hall lower level.

The Community Outreach Association Shelter Team: A Strong Hand is a Helping Hand  

The Community Outreach Association Shelter Team is an outreach program that provides services which support disadvantaged single adults throughout the local area. Adults are the least able to find adequate shelter in the winter months, so our purpose is to bring the community around to support people with a warm place to stay, a hot dinner and breakfast, and a sack lunch to go. More importantly, we treat each individual with respect and kindness and offer additional personal and social services through partnering with Olympic Community Action Programs. Karen Riel understands the importance of lending a hand to community members, and those who cannot fend for themselves. It is for this reason that she serves as a founding director and treasurer of the Community Outreach Association Shelter Team in Port Hadlock, Washington. In her capacity, Ms. Riel works with a volunteer group of more than 400 individuals, and coordinates outside efforts to run the shelter. She organizes and coordinates volunteer initiatives from local organizations to work with individuals, and manages staffing plans.

Ms. Riel enjoys helping others as she realizes that a helping hand is a strong hand. She feels that the most gratifying aspect of running the shelter is successfully helping one person or family at a time to become self-sufficient. She was inspired by the former Archbishop to enter into the field and offer volunteer services, as he encouraged community members to aid in the enhancement of their fellow man. Ms. Riel supports various community outreach initiatives including the local booster club.