Parents walk back stance on Vancouver warming shelter near elementary school

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- With freezing temperatures around the corner, the city of Vancouver is ramping up efforts to help their most vulnerable.

As a result, an overnight warming shelter opened its doors Saturday on East Mill Plain, right next to Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts (VITA) Elementary school at the Vancouver Arts Hub.

Given the close proximity of the two locations, parents expressed their concerns throughout the week.

But some of those VITA parents, including Katelyn Robley, are now warming up to the idea, showing their support in action.

"Myself and a few other moms just started an email chain and we collected donations at the school," Robley said. "The school's been super supportive about us collecting donations on site at the school. We did a sign-making evening. So we made some welcome signs and cards which my kids and I were able to take down to the shelter today."

What's more, parents were even welcomed in for a tour on opening day.

The non-profit organization Outsider's Inn will run the shelter with staff on-site. It will be operating through March from 6:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning.

Background checks are required and walk-ins won't be allowed.

Additionally, the city said only people referred through the Council for the Homeless will be accepted.