The Story of Winter Hospitality Overflow in Clark County (2002-2025)

Foundations in Community

Clark County’s homeless response network has long been shaped by collaboration. Share Vancouver (founded 1979) grew from grassroots beginnings into the county’s primary shelter provider, opening Share House (1985) and expanding to family shelters by the mid-1990s. The Council for the Homeless (C4TH, established 1989) became the coordinating body, operating the centralized Housing Hotline to connect people with shelter beds.

By the early 2000s, however, these facilities were consistently full each winter. Faith leaders, recognizing the urgent need for additional seasonal space, took action. In 2002, Pastor Jim Stender (St. Andrew Lutheran Church) and Pastor Chris Nolte (St. Paul Lutheran Church) joined with other clergy to pilot an overflow shelter ministry. Their model proved effective, and in 2003, the Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) was formally launched with Share and C4TH as founding partners.

By 2004, WHO had two permanent sites operating each winter (Nov–Mar): St. Andrew Lutheran (families, women, and couples) and St. Paul Lutheran (single men). Each site provided about 25 beds per night, staffed by Share personnel and supported by a broad interfaith volunteer base.

Transition and Loss

  • May 2015: Pastor Chris Nolte concluded his 13-year ministry at St. Paul Lutheran, where he co-founded and sustained the WHO program since its launch in 2002. He went on to serve at Elim Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, leaving behind a strong foundation of community service. Rev. Joe Aalbue stepped in as interim pastor, guiding the congregation through transition.

  • February 8, 2019: The community mourned the passing of Pastor Jim Stender, a founding leader whose compassion and steady presence had been instrumental since WHO’s earliest years. His legacy continued to inspire volunteers and partners.

  • July 2019: Pastor Cindy Bauldree (then Cindy Muse) was welcomed as the new pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. She quickly affirmed WHO as central to St. Andrew’s mission and would guide the site through the pandemic.

  • November 2019: WHO faced one of its most significant challenges when volunteer shortages nearly delayed the opening. Led by Jane Seidel and others, the community rallied with intensive recruitment, while Share staff temporarily stepped in to ensure the shelter opened on time.

  • December 2019: Linda Marousek began serving the community of St. Paul alongside Pastor Aalbue, first in a shadowing role as a Synodically Authorized Minister. A longtime member of Family of Christ Lutheran Church, she had already volunteered at St. Paul’s shelter multiple times. Her ministry deepened over the following years, culminating in her installation as pastor in 2023.

  • During 2019 Outsiders Inn (founded 2016, peer-led nonprofit) — already operating seasonal SOS shelters — began discussions with the City of Vancouver about converting St. Paul Lutheran’s men’s shelter into a year-round program, reshaping Clark County’s shelter landscape.

  • By March 2020, Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order brought statewide shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid adaptations:

  • St. Paul Lutheran transitioned into a year-round men’s shelter operated by Outsiders Inn, with staff who had lived experience of homelessness. A Meal Train program kept volunteers engaged by preparing and delivering meals. The permanent staffing model marked the end of the traditional volunteer-driven approach. The congregation redirected its volunteer energy to hospitality, crisis response, and warming/cooling centers during severe weather.

WHO @ St. Andrew Today

In the years following the pandemic, volunteerism at St. Andrew rebounded strongly. Congregations, youth groups, and interfaith partners once again covered full weeks of shelter duties. In summer 2024, the WHO Task Force was renamed the WHO Operations Team under Pastor Cindy Bauldree, bringing together veteran volunteers, agency staff, and community partners to strengthen coordination.

By September 2025, the need for shelter in Clark County continued to grow, prompting a reorganization of the WHO partnership between St. Andrew and St. Paul. With St. Paul’s men’s shelter now fully funded and professionally staffed by Outsiders Inn, the Council for the Homeless stepped back from its long-time fiduciary role. Each site now raises and manages its own resources independently.

At St. Andrew, the Winter Hospitality Overflow remains true to its original community-based format (Nov–Mar). It is sustained through donations, grants, and fundraising, supported by the Ed and Dolly Lynch Foundation, nourished by a partnership with the LDS Vancouver Stake, and powered by thousands of interfaith volunteer hours. To ensure guests receive professional housing navigation, WHO at St. Andrew contracts Share to provide case management.

Unlike year-round shelter programs in Clark County that rely heavily on government funding, WHO at St. Andrew continues to be community-funded and volunteer-driven. It reflects the founding spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors—our community itself providing the financial, material, and human resources that keep the doors open and the beds warm.

Building a Culture of Volunteerism

WHO quickly became known as a model of grassroots service. Beth Oliver and later Jane Seidel coordinated schedules and recruitment at St. Andrew, while Geraldine “Geri” Hiller became a steady presence at St. Paul, organizing volunteers and welcoming guests for nearly two decades.

By the late 2000s, St. Andrew had expanded to 50 beds, and the program consistently operated at capacity. More than 50 congregations and over 1,500 volunteers contributed each winter, with WHO running on a remarkably lean budget of just $4–$6 per bed-night.

Expanding Beyond Two Churches

By the mid-2010s, the rising homelessness crisis prompted the community to explore innovative shelter models. To supplement the WHO seasonal program, Satellite Overflow Shelters (SOS) were added at Beautiful Savior, Immanuel, and River City. These SOS sites were not part of the WHO but were coordinated through C4TH and staffed with support from Outsiders Inn, adding about 15 beds on scheduled nights.

Sources:
  1. Share Vancouver – “Share’s Story Is A History of Compassion” (Aug. 2025)sharevancouver.orgsharevancouver.org
  2. Council for the Homeless – About Us / Press Release (May 2025)councilforthehomeless.org
  3. ClarkCountyToday – “Clark County partners collaborate to expand winter shelter” (Nov. 2023)clarkcountytoday.comclarkcountytoday.com
  4. Congregation Kol Ami – “WHO: Mitzvah of the Month” (c.2014)jewishvancouverusa.orgjewishvancouverusa.org
  5. Messiah Lutheran (Vancouver) – “Learn more about WHO” (Jan. 2023)messiahvancouver.orgmessiahvancouver.org
  6. The Columbian – “Lutheran churches provide shelter in winter” (Feb. 2018)columbian.comcolumbian.com
  7. The Columbian – “Vancouver’s winter shelters face shortage of volunteers” (Oct. 2019)columbian.com
  8. The Columbian – “Pastor, homeless advocate Jim Stender dies at 67” (Feb. 2019)columbian.com
  9. ClarkCountyToday – “Public invited to installation of Pastor Cindy Muse” (June 2019)clarkcountytoday.com
  10. SW WA Synod News – “Moments for Mission” (Feb. 2023)swwasynod.org
  11. OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting) – “Vancouver signs partner for homeless campsite” (Sept. 2021)opb.orgopb.org
  12. Outsiders Inn – Mission & Timeline (2024)outsidersinn.orgoutsidersinn.org
  13. Outsiders Inn – Shelter Programs (St. Paul’s Men’s Shelter) (2025)outsidersinn.org
  14. ClarkCountyToday – “Expanded winter shelter opens in Clark County” (Nov. 2021)clarkcountytoday.com
  15. Share Vancouver – “Sharing Lives: 2022 Winter Newsletter” (Aug. 2025)sharevancouver.orgsharevancouver.org
KPTV News – “Cooling shelters amid heat wave” (July 2025)kptv.com