Vineyard Church Could be Temporary Host for Safe Bay Program

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth church may be the temporary host for Chum’s Safe Bay Program.

The usual host of Safe Bay is the Damiano Center, which will be undergoing construction this summer, so the program looks to move to the Vineyard Church on Arrowhead Road.

Safe Bay offers secure overnight parking for people living in their vehicles.

The proposed location at the church is in the back parking lot, which also offers access to restrooms and showers.

Chum employees would remain onsite each night during operating hours.

“The Chum shelter was built for 30 people and there are routinely 120 people there at night, so there are lots of reasons why individuals might choose their vehicles over a crowded shelter,” Joel Kilgour, Project Organizer at Stepping on Up said. “It allows for more privacy, more dignity. Especially for families, people who are trying to escape abusive situations, that has been their home for many, many people and they’re often out there without support.”

Many neighbors of the church have spoken out against having the Safe Bay near their homes, so Vineyard plans to place fencing around its property.

“We’re hoping to put up a barrier fence right along our property line and so we clearly are designating what is church property and what doesn’t belong to us, and than part of the contract when people come in, I mean it’s not just open, they have to actually check in. But part of that will be you agree to stay on the churches property line and not trespass into neighboring properties,” Barry Schull, Vineyard Church Compassions Ministry Director said.

Next Tuesday The Duluth Planning Commission will be asked to approve a permit, allowing the church to host Safe Bay.

If approved Safe Bay looks to be open May 1 through the end of October.