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Heart of Folsom reports 2025 winter shelter: 64 guests, 695 guest-nights and several housing connections
Summary
The volunteer-run Heart of Folsom presented outcomes from its eighth winter shelter season: 64 total guests, 695 guest-nights, an average of 10.5 guests per night, and multiple transitions to housing and employment. Staff and council discussed intake location details and summer cooling options.
Heart of Folsom leaders told the Folsom City Council on April 8 that the organization’s 2025 winter shelter (Jan. 2–March 9) provided 695 guest-nights for 64 distinct guests and facilitated several housing and employment connections.
Bev, a Heart of Folsom representative, told the council the shelter focused on providing safety, food and trust-building while linking guests to local resources; Heart partners include HEART transitional housing, Jake’s Journey Home and Powerhouse Ministries. She said the program relied on roughly 200 volunteers and about 10 faith and community hosts, and benefited from donated vans, meal providers and a shower trailer loaned by a local church.
Bev reported 66 open nights, an average nightly census of 10.5 guests and a guest-age range of 24 to 76. The seasonal census skewed two-thirds men and one-third women; 46 of the 66 nights were very cold (under about 45 degrees). Bev described examples of successful interventions: securing glasses and transportation so a former truck driver could requalify for work, helping three men move into HEART transitional housing, and assisting a woman to move into Powerhouse Ministries’ Women & Children center.
Councilmember Barbara Leary and others asked for operational clarifications. Leary asked for a clearer, shareable location for intake at "Upper Rodeo" so the public can direct people in need; Bev described landmarks, telling Leary that the best approach is Stafford Street across from the Folsom Library near the maintenance yard and the library parking lot gate. Another councilmember asked whether the model can be extended to summer "cooling" shelters; Bev said Heart’s winter shelter is volunteer-led and that the city does operate cooling centers during peak heat hours (not overnight).
Vice Mayor Justin Raethold and others praised volunteers and partner agencies. City representatives highlighted cooperation with the police department’s HOT team and the parks & recreation intake support at Upper Rodeo that quickened shelter intake and improved guest safety.
Bev said Heart would like to run a longer 10.5-week shelter next season if additional staffing is available. Council members thanked volunteers and asked staff to share intake location details publicly.
