HERMISTON — The Project PATH Sleep Center accommodated more than 4,000 overnight stays in 2024, highlighting what its executive director called a “very full year” for the transitional housing complex on Lind Road.

Jesalyn Cole presented the information Monday, Feb. 24, from the Stepping Stones Alliance’s 2024 Annual Report to the Hermiston City Council during its meeting.

Project PATH — Practical Assistance through Transitional Housing — is a collaborative effort between Stepping Stones Alliance, which manages the facility, as well as Umatilla County and the cities of Umatilla, Hermiston, Stanfield and Echo.

The Sleep Center saw a total of 4,081 overnight stays in 2024, the second year of the center’s operation. There was an average of 340 overnight stays per month last year with April and May experiencing the most overnight stays at 436 and 425, respectively. The center averaged between six and 16 overnight guests per night.

In her presentation to the council, Cole highlighted one particular success story — the first family to become members. Cole said the family was forced to leave their home when the landlord decided to no longer rent the property they were living in. The father had a steady job, and the mother stayed home to take care of their two children.

The family initially checked into a motel but could only afford to stay for a short time. The mother came to Stepping Stones Alliance and was able to move into one of the individual outdoor units. Within three months, the family was able to move into their own apartment.

To become a member and be allowed to stay in one of the 21 individual outdoor units, an individual must first stay in the shelter’s Sleep Center for 14 consecutive nights. Once a person has transitioned into an individual unit, he or she can stay there indefinitely so long as they are actively working to find permanent housing.

The individual units opened in June 2024. Cole told the council that all 21 units are occupied.

The Sleep Center has been in operation since December 2023. Cole told the council that shuttles were purchased in January 2024 to transport guests to and from the PATH facilities.

“They have proven very useful, not only for picking up and dropping off guests, but we were able to hire someone to run errands for our guests Monday through Friday,” Cole said.

Those errands, she said, can range from trips to the grocery store as well as banks and other needs.

Transportation via the shuttles is available from a pick-up location at 11th Street and Poplar Avenue if individuals cannot get to PATH on their own. They are welcomed into the center, fed a basic evening meal and given a safe place to sleep for the night. Breakfast is served in the morning before guests depart. Transportation is offered back to the location at 11th and Poplar.

Another success story involved a young mother who lost custody of her child due to substance abuse issues. She was the first member to enter a two-month detoxification program before moving into a half-way house and was then reunited with her child.

Cole said PATH was able to double its open hours of the Sleep Center to 24 hours, seven days per week. Staff was tripled from three to nine and security staff was added, said Cole.

The bulk of PATH’s funding comes from a variety of grants. In 2024, PATH received more than $250,000 in grants. In November, grant money enabled SSA to create recreational activities, create an outdoor common space cooking area and pergola and an indoor fire suppression system for the Navigation Center kitchen stove.

In September, SSA hosted its first fundraising gala, Boots & Bling, which raised more than $15,000.

“We are continuing to look for grants and donations and continuing to recruit new volunteers” Cole said.

Councilor Allen Hayward asked if SSA has produced any videos for public consumption highlighting the work it does. Cole said it has a video that has been shown during presentations she gives to local service groups. It has not been included on any social media due to some individuals not wanting their story shared in public. She said one idea, however, is to make a video tour of the complex for the public to see.

The annual report outlines other steps to be taken include completing the outdoor common space with a pavilion and cooking area, adding additional individual shelter units, finishing the installation of solar panels and completing the fire suppression system as well as installing the stove in the Navigation Center.

Councilor Jeff Kelso thanked Cole for the work SSA is doing for the area’s homeless population.

“I don’t think people have the slightest idea of how much work goes into what you do,” he said. “It’s not just a job, it’s a heart-and-soul effort.”

Councilor Josh Roberts said the work at the transitional housing facility is providing a valuable service beyond just helping people find permanent housing.

“I encounter a lot of people who are struggling with homelessness and a loss of hope,” Roberts said. “You are really instilling hope and I just want to say keep up the good work.”

For more information, visit www.stepping-stones-alliance.org.