Local veterans, other community partners help SVdP complete needed shelter upgrades
A Dusk to Dawn (D2D) site-improvement project, which began on May 13 and lasted through May 17, culminated with the installation of five 18’ x 36’ military-style tents — replacing the shelter’s five oldest and most worn-out tents, which date back to a 2017 expansion of D2D and have far exceeded their originally rated lifespan. The new tents will provide an updated space for 125 night-shelter beds currently funded at D2D, increasing comfort for the unhoused adults served there.
The upgrades will also free up a larger tent onsite for use as a recreation and gathering space, which will help foster a sense of community among guests and provide a place for educational and support-group meetings to help clients build stability back into their lives.
Local companies contribute to upgrades
Through a variety of in-kind contributions, several community partners have made it possible for SVdP to complete these improvements to its critical low barrier night shelter — the only one of its kind in Eugene-Springfield. These include Kipco Construction, the excavation/groundwork contractor, and Eugene Sand & Gravel, which provided the crushed rock needed to raise and level the site in preparation for the tents; both passed on significantly reduced costs to SVdP.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Eugene coordinated a volunteer team of U.S Military Veterans to lead the assembly and installation of the tents. D2D shelter staff and others from SVdP’s maintenance department worked with and learned from these veterans who are experienced at correctly installing these military-style tents to ensure maximum stability and longevity.
Veterans help set up new tents at Dusk to Dawn
About Dusk to Dawn
Dusk to Dawn is a low-barrier, drop-in night shelter program operated by SVdP with funding from the City of Eugene and Lane County. The 125-bed site provides heated communal tent space where individual adults experiencing homelessness can stay overnight, safely store their belongings and receive connections to services. Meals, showers and day services are provided through SVdP’s nearby Eugene Service Station (ESS) at 450 Hwy. 99N. Guests also must register there for night shelter at D2D; any available beds are assigned every day at 2 p.m. through a first-come, first-served waitlist managed at ESS.