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Board approves $50,000 to help operate winter warming shelter; organizers stress overnight staffing needs
Summary
Culpeper County supervisors approved a $50,000 county contribution to support a December–March warming shelter run by Culpeper Human Services in partnership with Encompass and community groups; organizers said the funds will primarily pay for overnight chaperones and operations.
The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 6 to provide $50,000 to support operation of the 2024–25 winter warming shelter, a collaborative effort led by Culpeper Human Services and local partners.
Lisa Peacock, speaking for the community committee, said the shelter will operate from Dec. 1 through March 31 and that the committee has raised roughly "about 54,000" in cash and in-kind support so far. "What we're going to be using the money for is mainly to provide the supervision that's needed overnight," Peacock said, identifying overnight chaperones as the program's greatest operational expense and a key reason for seeking county funds.
Peacock and partner representatives described partnerships with Encompass (which ran operations last year), Culpeper Housing and Sheltering Services, local pastors and volunteers, and PATH Foundation. Encompass and other partners said last year's shelter served 77 people; speakers said about half were Culpeper County residents and the majority of guests who entered permanent housing had remained housed.
Supervisors questioned continuity and volunteer availability since the pandemic, whether Encompass would continue in an operational role and how the town government would contribute. Committee members said they plan to make a presentation to the Culpeper Town Council in December seeking similar support.
The board approved the $50,000 motion by voice vote. Board members praised the shelter for its role in moving people into permanent housing: "this also transitions people into permanent housing," one supervisor said.
Next steps: County staff and the committee will coordinate with the town, community partners and service providers to finalize operations, staffing and funding sources for the season.
