This is great news.

I offer this quote, from Bianca Fernandez, one of the organizers of the shelter:

“There has been a lot of controversy over this, but at the end of the day mostly everyone was supportive,” Fernandez said. “There were not many people who opposed it, but those who did, did so loudly. Now even some of them are supportive and are offering a hand to help.”

So yes, this sort of thing does change the character of the community.  It changes it for the better.

I will also make this announcement here, now that it’s ready to go: I’m organizing a benefit concert in Bellows Falls on February 6th to support this shelter and help give them operational funds to keep them open through the season.  Stone Arts Church in Bellows Falls has already offered space and I have one great musician (Jesse Peters) as a definite, and several other potentials lined up.  If you’re in the vicinity and want to see a great show for a great cause, save the date!