NIGHTINGALE/COMMUNITY SUPPORTED SHELTERS TRANSITION FAQs
Why did we start thinking about the future of Nightingale?
At the beginning of 2025, the exciting final infrastructure changes at camp (water! power! electricity!), in addition to the EWEB construction, brought enough disruption that we needed to temporarily shut down camp and move residents.
This pause posed the perfect opportunity for our working Board to think deeply about how we could continue to best serve our unhoused neighbors. So, the Board formed a Futures Committee, charged with recommending the future direction(s) for camp.
What criteria guided how we thought about Nightingale’s future?
With help from the City of Eugene, the Futures Committee considered ways for Nightingale to optimize our offerings to residents – including exploring ways to collaborate with other area entities to help supply or supplement services and/or personnel. The Futures Committee established six main criteria to consider, and sent out a Request for Proposal to over 25 area organizations who assist with unhoused services. The criteria we considered were:
- Would our new partners/camp operators be good neighbors in the community?
- Would they continue to operate the camp as a high-barrier camp, meaning the residents would not be active users of drugs and alcohol?
- Are they experienced providers who can help provide even more services and guidance to our residents, especially with housing navigation and case management?
- Can they demonstrate that they’re a mature organization with a “healthy” board of directors in addition to effective procedures and protocols?
- Can they operate camp following the City of Eugene and Lane County’s requirements?
- Do they have sufficient financial stability?
Why is Community Supported Shelters (CSS) an excellent operator for Nightingale?
After much consideration, the Futures Committee and the City, recommended Community Supported Shelters (CSS) become Nightingale’s new site operator. The Board believes this is the best option that fits well into our neighborhood, can be a sustainable model long-term, and effectively meets the needs of people who are unhoused in our community. CSS has a long-standing history in Eugene of providing transitional shelter and related support services to improve the quality and dignity of life of people experiencing homelessness – their goals and our own align, and we are excited about Nightingale’s future under their wing.
When will CSS begin operating Nightingale?
In May. We have some residents back at camp now that EWEB construction is wrapping up and is in the less-disruptive stage. More residents will continue to join them throughout May.
Will Nightingale remain a high-barrier camp?
Yes. It was essential to our Futures Committee and Nightingale Board that the new camp operators maintain Nightingale as a high-barrier camp. That means that all residents have specific and clearly stated guidelines and rules they must follow in order to be residents. At Nightingale, this means all residents are expected to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, and to participate in community life by doing chores, (e.g. cleaning and more).
Will Nightingale remain a City of Eugene Rest Stop?
Short answer: Yes! The Rest Stop program is established under Eugene City Ordinances 20517 and 20576.
May I still bring my cans and bottles for donation?
Yes! Please do! CSS is eager to continue this program when they begin operation of camp. It is a wonderful source of revenue for camp and we really appreciate each of your bottles and can drops! Every neighbor can help us!
What happened to the camp managers, Nathan and Tracy?
Nathan and Tracy did so much for Nightingale, which would not exist without their work. We appreciate their decades of commitment to Nightingale and its mission of serving the housed folks of Eugene. Nathan and Tracy have both moved on to other endeavors, and remain in the Eugene area.
What happened to the cat, Mango?
Don’t fret! Mango moved with Nathan and Tracy and remains the happiest and cutest cat.
APRIL 2025 UPDATE
As we shared at the beginning of the year, Nightingale is in the midst of a number of exciting changes; these changes have encouraged us to think deeply about our structure and how to best serve our unhoused neighbors.
In January, the Board formed a Futures Committee, charged with recommending the future direction(s) for the Nightingale rest stop. This Committee is comprised of current Board members: Bruce Abel, Norma Grier, Daly Merrill, and Susie Andrist. The City of Eugene’s Homeless Services Team also worked closely with the committee. Together, they considered ways for Nightingale to optimize our offerings to residents.
After much consideration, the Futures Committee has recommended that Community Supported Shelters (CSS) become Nightingale’s new site operator, and the Board has approved the recommendation. There are still many details to iron out, and we are excited about CSS’s proposal to Nightingale. The Board believes this is the best option that fits well into our neighborhood, can be a sustainable model long-term, and effectively meets the needs of people who are unhoused in our community. CSS has a long-standing history in Eugene of providing transitional shelter and related support services to improve the quality and dignity of life of people experiencing homelessness – their goals and our own align, and we are excited about Nightingale’s future under their wing.
Nightingale will share more about this transition plan as we are able.
JANUARY 2025 UPDATE
The coming months will bring about a number of exciting changes to Nightingale, and offer us a chance to think about broader shifts in our structure. We see this as a time of opportunity.
As you’ve likely heard, we’ve made significant headway in our ongoing infrastructure improvements to bring electrical power, water, and sewer hook-ups to camp. Happily, we’re in the final stages of this years’ long effort. However, installing these amenities will be disruptive. And, to top it off, EWEB plans to dig their new main water line through camp beginning today, January 27. For this reason, we have put a pause on accepting new residents.
Alongside these happy developments, there is also the truth that services we hoped to deliver – like case management and housing navigation – have gotten more complex than our “working Board” and minimal camp staffing could provide.
As a result of all these changes, the Board has formed a Futures Committee, charged with recommending the future direction(s) for camp. This Committee is comprised of current Board members: Bruce Abel, Norma Grier, Daly Merrill, and Karena Norton. Together, they will consider ways for Nightingale to optimize our offerings to residents – including exploring ways to collaborate with other area entities to help supply or supplement services and/or personnel. Our goal is to have clarity on improved facilities and resident services by the end of March.
You are welcome to contact us about your input, questions, or concerns at nightingale@nightingaleshelters.org. We want to make a decision about camp that fits well into our neighborhood, can be a sustainable model long-term, and effectively meets the needs of people who are unhoused in our community.
We look forward to keeping you updated.
Best,
Nightingale Hosted Shelters
P.S. Due to the construction and trenching, you may find it easier to hold off on bringing cans and bottles for the next few weeks.