08/01/2026
Lately, there has been a lot of conversation about homelessness in our community. It's clear that people care. Some are worried about safety, some are frustrated by what they're seeing, and others are heartbroken for the people who have nowhere else to go. The truth is, all of those feelings can exist at the same time.
Last winter, our community came together in an incredible way. Thanks to 114 volunteers, we were able to provide 439 sheltered nights for individuals experiencing homelessness. We saw firsthand what happens when someone has a safe place to sleep, a warm meal, and people who genuinely care. It didn't solve every problem, but it created a place where trust could begin and where people could take their next steps forward.
As a board, we've spent a lot of time asking ourselves, "What's next?"
From the beginning, we knew Heart of the Basin was never meant to work alone. Our vision has always been to become one piece of a stronger community response to homelessness. We're working toward creating a year-round shelter that complements the incredible work already being done by local nonprofits, service providers, healthcare professionals, faith communities, and government agencies. Our hope is to provide a safe place to stay while connecting guests with case management, life-skills education, housing resources, and the community partners who help people move toward long-term stability.
That's a big goal, and it can only happen through strong partnerships. No one organization can solve homelessness alone, but together, each of us can play an important role.
If you've ever wondered how you can help make a difference, we'd love to have you join us. Whether it's volunteering, donating, helping with fundraising, sharing your professional skills, or simply sharing our mission with others, every person has something to contribute.
We're incredibly grateful for every organization, church, business, agency, volunteer, and individual already serving our neighbors. Heart of the Basin's goal isn't to replace those efforts, it's to strengthen them by filling a need that currently exists in our community.
These are hard conversations, but they're also important ones. We believe our community is capable of finding solutions that are both compassionate and practical. That's the future we're working toward, and we hope you'll join us.
❤️ Here are a few ways you can get involved today:
🤝 Volunteer. Right now, volunteer opportunities are available through our partnership with the Vernal Haunt. Shelter volunteer opportunities will be announced as we prepare to open for the upcoming season.
🛏️ Adopt a Bed. A monthly or one-time donation helps us prepare for another season of providing warmth, safety, and hope.
⛳ Support our upcoming fundraiser. Join us for the UARHOF Night Golf Tournament on August 14, or purchase tickets for the cruise raffle generously provided through UARHOF.
❤️ Share our mission. Every conversation, every share, and every introduction helps us reach people who want to be part of the solution.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Heart of the Basin so far. We truly believe our community has the compassion, creativity, and determination to build something that makes a lasting difference. Together, we can continue building a community where everyone has the opportunity to find safety, support, and hope.
