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Faith-based 'Rest and Rise Pulaski' seeks to host up to 10 adults nightly; council asks staff to review zoning
Summary
Rest and Rise Pulaski, a church-led winter overnight shelter modeled on Montgomery County’s 'To Our House', would open about Dec. 14 and host up to 10 single adults nightly; council urged the group to proceed while town staff and the attorney review zoning, building-code and permit implications.
Reverend Terry Sternberg, convener for the Pulaski County Ministerial Association, presented the group’s plan for ‘‘Rest and Rise Pulaski,’’ a faith-based winter overnight shelter to provide nightly beds, meals and case-management connections for single adults during the coldest months.
Sternberg said the program would be Pulaski-centric, operating from rotating host churches (First Christian, Trinity Lutheran, Christ Episcopal, First Presbyterian, First Methodist), and would guarantee guests a bed night after night during the season (planned opening about Dec. 14 through mid-March). He said the program will rely on trained volunteers, provide showers and laundry through partners such as First Methodist and the YMCA, and coordinate with New River Community Action for case management.
Council members expressed support for the program’s mission but raised legal and zoning questions. The council chair and staff noted a distinction between an emergency warming station (activated by extreme temperatures) and a season-long overnight shelter (continuous guaranteed lodging). Staff and the town attorney agreed to review applicable ordinances, building-code oversight by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and planning commission standards and to report back to the group before council would be asked for any formal action.
Sternberg said the group is not requesting town funding at this time and that host churches have signed on; he asked only for the town’s assistance in making sure any necessary approvals or steps are clear. Council members encouraged the group to proceed while staff checks that any zoning or permitting steps are followed and that church properties meet building-safety requirements.
"Rest and Rise Pulaski is the name of this program. It is purely a church, faith based organizational project," Sternberg said, adding the model is based on Montgomery County’s To Our House program and is designed to provide continuity of care for people without stable shelter.
The council directed staff and the town attorney to review code and ordinance issues quickly and said they would coordinate with the ministerial association ahead of the group’s targeted opening date.
