Lifehouse Church responded within hours to EPD Chief Jarvis to open a low barrier, extreme weather shelter

Lifehouse Church Senior Pastor Willy Bowles:

"Nobody should ever freeze to death in Humboldt County. That is simply not acceptable. If this isn't the work of Jesus, then I don't know anything that is. 

Kudos to Eureka Police Chief Todd Jarvis and EPD Commander Leonard LaFrance for their leadership and efforts. Kudos to Lifehouse Church for opening their doors and actually practicing Jesus' teachings. 

There is a need in the Myrtletown area for such a shelter. Other megachurches in Eureka and the Myrtletown area respond by locking their doors and looking down on those less unfortunate on a regular basis. 

Where were the Rotary members, Humboldt business "leaders", Masons, Elks this winter? They come out for their photo ops every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Where are all those local, generational businesses who have profited from government funds? Are they giving back and paying it forward?

The usual Nimbys and haters come out in droves to denigrate every effort to get people some relief from the streets. The same whiners who do nothing but complain about EPD, crime, the City of Eureka instead of looking in the mirror. 

Greed is the biggest cause of homelessness, followed by retaliation. Mental illness, drugs, bad choices do not apply in every situation and they are red herring conveniently used by Humboldt scrooges and government. 

Humboldt leaders have failed for decades to implement solutions.  There are other places in California using solutions that Humboldt will not consider. If they do, it will be opposed. Some ideas have been opposed by the same few families who run this County and their puppet politicians. Threats of litigation by the haters if they don't get their way. Overpaid County heads like DHHS Connie Beck make $257,000 plus sitting around all day in meetings while frontline workers manage impossible caseloads.

The Humboldt Connected, the government heads and the local families who mooch and subsidize their "business" on grants and government funds need people to suffer so they can maintain their "Humboldt status" while they profit at the expense of other human beings.

There are people in Humboldt, many who do not go to church, but who practice Matthew 25:35-40 in action. It is because of these people that the situation isn't worse this brutal winter. 

There are others who don't believe Matthew 19:24 or in hell. They can go to church all they want and profess fake words their actions show they lack  character, morals and compassion. 

Those who claim to support Betty Chinn, Eureka Rescue Mission, Teen Challenge like the glory and press. How do they act in their daily lives and businesses? Their "help" is selective and conditional.

Housing issues in Humboldt could be significantly reduced if most of the business leaders with all that generational wealth and fake "Christians" spewing the same bile would step up. Churches drive away those who have true faith, those who have walked and lived what Jesus said and experienced. Churches reward those already wealthy and anyone else willing to assist the grift. 

Elected officials at the County level and in city government will never stand up to their buddies and take action against their own financial interests. Enforcement in Humboldt is only reserved for those already down on their luck and who cannot fight back against the sham entrenched systems because they are too busy surviving against all odds.

EPD Press Release:

The City of Eureka in collaboration with the Eureka faith-based community will be opening a low barrier, Extreme Weather Overnight Warming Center at Lifehouse Church to ensure those most vulnerable in our community have a warm place to be during inclement weather. 

Inclement weather can include times of high winds, significant rain, and freezing temperatures. UPLIFT Eureka, Crisis Alternative Response of Eureka (CARE), Eureka Police Department Community Safety Engagement Team (CSET), along with other community partners, will be conducting outreach within the community to directly connect individuals to the warming center. When open, the warming center will operate between 6pm to 7am, be staffed by members of the faith-based community, and supported by UPLIFT Eureka, CARE, and EPD CSET personnel.  

According to Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery: I want to thank Lifehouse Church for their tremendous compassion and generous offer of support for our community. Once solicited by Chief Jarvis for a request of assistance, it was only a matter of hours before receiving a response. I’d like to not only thank the Lifehouse Church, but all of our faithbased community as we have received offers of assistance from other churches and look forward to working with them to continue supporting those most vulnerable within our community.

Lifehouse Church Senior Pastor Willy Bowles said: Lifehouse Church is excited to be partnering with the City of Eureka in providing an extreme weather overnight warming center. We have already had many volunteers sign up to help, and we know many more will help us in this endeavor. Thank you to Eureka  Police Chief Jarvis and Commander La France for all their hard work. Also, thank you to Pastor Andy Broese Van Groenou of Harvest Church in Eureka. Your kindness and care for the community are always an inspiration. Lastly, thank you to the City of Eureka for all of their hard work as well. We have a GREAT community here in Humboldt. 

When asked if we would consider being a warming center, my answer was an immediate “yes.” I had questions about logistics, volunteers, finances, and I knew I had a church board that needed to approve this before it could go forward. However, I said “yes” anyway. Part of the reason I could say “yes” was because of the men and women on our board. I know their hearts, and I know their love for people and our community. When I approached them with this request, like me, they gave an immediate “yes.” Opening up our building to be a safe place for men, women, and children to come in times of severe weather is a no-brainer. Nobody should ever freeze to death in Humboldt County. That is simply not acceptable. We are excited to be able to do something practical and hands-on. Opening our doors for people to sleep in a safe, warm environment will make a difference in people's lives. If this isn't the work of Jesus, then I don't know anything that is. 

For any questions or information, please contact EPD Commander La France at 707.441.4232.