Shelter operator urges more county support; court adopts dating-violence proclamation

At the start of the meeting Jessica Cain, Director of Neighborhood Engagement at the Southside Community Center, told the court that Southside runs the only regularly activated weather shelter in the county and that since the shelter's first overnight on Dec. 5 the organization had invested about $8,000 this winter season.

"Southside is the only regularly activated weather shelter in a county of nearly 300,000 residents," Cain said on the record and asked the court for "increased long-term financial support from this court, as well as local cities, businesses, foundations, and more." Cain said Southside runs the shelter with at least one staff member on site each night when activated and provides hotel vouchers for people who cannot safely stay in the shelter.

The court also adopted a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Melissa Rodriguez, introduced on the record as the chief executive officer of the (transcript) "Hayes College Women's Center," thanked the court and highlighted prevention outreach and availability of bilingual toolkits and social-media reach; she encouraged the community to participate in "Wear Orange" day next Tuesday.

Why it matters: County-funded and county-contracted social-service providers told the court they remain underfunded relative to growing needs. Commissioners expressed appreciation and said they support the organizations' outreach and prevention work.

Next steps: The court recorded its thanks and acknowledged potential budgetary and partnership follow-ups with local cities and philanthropic partners.