FAQs

RTRC strives for transparency and open lines of communication. If you have questions or concerns, you may find them addressed below. If you don't, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Right Track Resource Center choose its location?

In the summer of 2022, RTRC found itself in need of a facility that suited our long term operational vision and expanding services. After multiple seasons occupying temporary locations, RTRC finally settled at its current location, 501 Third Street. Originally designed as a residential senior care facility, the building met local safety code, was ADA compliant, and fell within the purview of Oregon House Bill 2006/ 4051. RTRC has been working with neighbors, municipal services, and guests as well as staff, volunteers, and community partners to work collaboratively in service provision ever since.

Q: What are the hours of operation in the winter for the Warming Station?

Overnight shelter (a.k.a. Warming Station) operations run from November 15th through March 15th, seven days a week. Check in for guests begins at 6:00 PM, and all guests must be checked in by 10:30 PM; facility doors are locked at that time and there are no further in and out privileges (barring emergencies) until 5:00 AM. Guests must be checked out by 8:00 AM.

Q: What are the hours of operation in the summer for the Resource Center?

The Resource Center is our year-round daytime program and operates with flexible hours, depending on the needs of the community and the staffing capacity. In the 2024 summer season, the Resource Center of RTRC is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am - 3pm, no appointment necessary.

Q: What are the services provided?

RTRC operates a seasonal warming shelter which provides a safe, warm welcoming environment for community members in need of emergency, overnight accomodations. Additionally, we aim to provide a warm meal, clean drinking water, take-and-go foods, bathrooms, showers, laundry, base clothings such as socks, underwear, and gloves, essential needs vouchers through Community Kindness and People Helping People thrift stores.

RTRC also operates a year-round daytime Resource Center which provides community health worker services to help with connections to health care & clinics, housing program navigation, food security, educational needs, occupational needs, etc. Computers are currently provided at five work stations, helping guests connect with educational and employment opportunities. RTRC is in the process of organizing public health and behavioral health services on site through partnerships with other organizations. (These services and partnerships are still evolving.) Showers and laundry facilities are currently available.

Q: How is Right Track Resource Center staffed?

RTRC has previously employed two full-time grant-funded Community Health Workers based year-round out of the RTRC building. We currently have one full time staff (Maggie Mayhem, Program Lead) and are currently seeking applications for a full-time director position. For more info, visit www.neonoregon.org/jobs

During the months of Warming Station operation, paid staff strive to be on-site during check-in and check-out; they also alternate on-call availability for emergencies.

99% of overnight operations are staffed by a volunteer workforce. Between two and three volunteers will be present between the hours of 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM, seven days a week during the active season. Guests are not allowed in the building overnight without at least two volunteers or staff present.

Q: How many volunteers do you have?

In order to stay open 7 night per week, we must fill 56 shifts minimum (with 77 shifts considered fully staffed), including volunteers to donate meals. We are always looking to welcome new members to our volunteer community. CLICK HERE to get more information about volunteer duties and training!

Q: How is Right Track Resource Center funded?

Currently, staffing and operations for RTRC are funded by a wide variety of different grant sources. We also have significant support from community member donations, both cash and in-kind. As we move forward into the future, we will continue to look for ongoing partnership investments to diversify our funding.

Q: Who are the Warming Station guests?

Our guests are primarily local residents of Union County who have both short-term and long-term housing struggles. Some may utilize our services all season long, while others might stay for a week or two while they are in between living situations. There are folks who stay with us temporarily while they work to save up for all the necessary deposits to move into their own housing. The age range of our guests spans from youth to older adults. Occasionally, families utilize our services, though that arrangement is most often to address short-term needs.

Q: How many guests do you serve?

We average between 15-24 guests per night. Our facility can legally accommodate up to 48 people, but we have chosen to enforce a voluntary limit of 25 guests per night. There are often guests who only stay for dinner, and in the 2022-2023 season, we averaged 20 warm meals per night. From October 31, 2023 - March 1, 2024, we served a total of 1,465 meals. In general, the colder it gets outside, the more guests we serve.

Q: Are dogs allowed?

Yes, dogs are allowed, under the caveat that they must always be under the control of their owner and on-leash. The exception to the leash rule is when guests are in their own room with the door shut, and with the permission of any roommates. Pet owners are required to clean up after their animal.

Q: Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is allowed in the back yard designated areas only during the designated hours only. Smokers must stand at least ten feet away from the building and generally farther from any open doors or windows. There is a fenced back yard at our facility at 501 Third Street, and there is NO SMOKING PERMITTED in the front yard or parking area. Smokers are asked to be respectful of the space and to use designated receptacles for trash.

Q: Will drugs or alcohol be allowed in the facility?

Right Track Resource Center has a strict no drugs or alcohol policy on the premises and surrounding neighborhood. Individuals may be under the influence while present at RTRC, as long as they are not disruptive and are able to comply with the terms of the guest agreement. Guests are not allowed possession of any drugs, alcohol, or paraphernalia while on the property or in immediate neighborhood. Violations of this and other policies can result in a one-night ban, a one-week ban, or a season-long ban, depending on the violation.

Q: What about the noise of people gathering?

Warming Station checkin begins at 6:00 PM. Guests may gather in the back yard between an hour and 30 minutes prior to opening. They are then granted in-and-out privileges until 10:30 PM, at which point the doors are locked until 5:00 AM. If a guest leaves between those hours, they are not allowed reentry. We disallow any playing of loud music, shouting, or any other significantly disturbing activity on the premises and surrounding neighborhood.

Q: Who do I contact with concerns or suggestions?

Please contact Right Track Resource Center staff if you have concerns regarding issues in the neighborhood. We also welcome suggestions you might have for improved operations and relationship with neighbors and the wider community. We can be reached by phone, email, or online contact forms.

Q: What is the process if I express a concern or suggestion?

We prefer to meet face-to-face with people when they have concerns so we can gather complete information, ensure we understand the issues, and engage in joint problem solving. Your concern will be addressed by staff, our Board of Directors, and/ or with the guests as a group depending on the complexity/ severity of the issue. Either the Board Chair or staff will follow up with you regarding action taken on your concern.

Q: Is the RTRC safe?

Having a place to go and a community to connect with generally reduces vagrancy. Our policy does not allow firearms on the premises. Other items that could be considered weapons (e.g. knives) are declared at check-in each night, locked in a cabinet by RTRC volunteers or staff, and not released until the guest checks out the next morning.

We have always been supported by law enforcement and the Center for Human Development to provide any law enforcement or mental health crisis needs. Please note: we rarely utilize these services. If you encounter any safety concerns, we encourage you to contact our staff right away.

In five years of operations, apart from noise and loitering complaints, we have only experienced one incident serious enough to warrant arrest; during that incident, our protocol took successful effect, and ensured immediate law enforcement notification and cooperation.

We have recently installed a Ring security system at the facility in an effort to continually improve our safety systems and protocols.

Q: What are the needs of Right Track Resource Center?

We are always in need of more volunteers. The more we share the workload, the less weight falls on each of our shoulders! Volunteers can help provide supplies, clean/ maintain the facility, cook meals, take volunteer shifts, supervise laundry, or serve as Board members. You can find a detailed, up to date list of what donations we can accept and what donations are better re-routed through our partner organizations, such as Community Kindness or People Helping People thrift stores.

The Resource Center is in need of services to be offered on-site during business hours, Monday-Friday. These might be educational, medical, therapeutic, or other beneficial service. If you or your organization are interested in providing services on-site, please contact RTRC staff.