Dear Friends of Community Supported Shelters,

Spring is a season of renewal—and at Community Supported Shelters, it’s arriving alongside some significant and hopeful changes. I’m writing today to share updates about our growth as an organization, exciting developments in local policy, and a special event we hope you'll join us for.

Over the last few months, our friends at Nightingale Hosted Shelters have been engaged in a period of reflection and evolution. In January, they formed a Futures Committee to chart the next chapter of their important work. After thoughtful conversations and collaboration with the City of Eugene’s Homeless Services Team, that Committee recommended a major step forward: that Community Supported Shelters become Nightingale’s new site operator.

We’re honored by this trust and thrilled to step into this role. While there are still details to finalize, our shared commitment to human dignity, community wellness, and the needs of our unhoused neighbors form the foundation of this partnership. Nightingale has long been a critical part of Eugene’s sheltering landscape, and we are committed to nurturing their legacy while continuing to build sustainable, compassionate solutions to homelessness together. You can find more information and FAQs about this transition on Nightingale’s social media, and we’ll continue to share updates as they unfold.

Meanwhile, at the state level, we're keeping a close eye on Oregon House Bill 3644, a piece of legislation that has the potential to deeply impact the landscape of shelter and transitional housing across Oregon. The bill is focused on clarifying land use laws that affect shelter development—a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to expanding services like ours. We are hopeful that HB 3644 will help reduce barriers and open doors for innovative, community-led shelter solutions across the state.

And finally, we are excited to invite you to our upcoming CommuniTea event! This is more than just a gathering—it’s a celebration of the people who power our mission. We’ll sip tea, eat brunch, share stories, honor our volunteers and supporters, and offer a space for connection and community. Details are included in this newsletter, and we can’t wait to see you there.

As always, thank you for walking alongside us. Whether you’re a donor, a volunteer, a neighbor, or someone whose life has been touched by our shelter program, you are part of this community—and together, we are building something powerful and enduring.

In gratitude and solidarity,