City of Vancouver Safe Stay Community Shelters Receive New Paint

Vancouver, WA —Over the weekend of September 19-20, 2025, volunteers from the Vancouver Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in partnership with Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, the City of Vancouver and Outsiders Inn, prepped and painted modular shelters at Vancouver’s Safe Stay Community located at 415 W 11th St., a few blocks north of Esther Short Park. The shelters, originally colored white, now each have distinct siding and door colors just like any other neighborhood.

The initiative was conceived months ago, with the intent to give the shelters a less industrial look.

Mayor McEnerny-Ogle, who visited the site with dessert she baked herself for volunteers, said, “This project builds a neighborhood where before it felt stark and uninviting.  You know your home by the color of the front door! These colors will help people to feel a calm sense of individuality and belonging.  We are blessed to have the Church’s involvement with this project.”

Work on the painting project started on Friday evening, when about a dozen Church volunteers gathered to hand wash the shelters in preparation for the painting to happen the following day. About 25 volunteers arrived the next morning to paint, using a pre-selected warm color pallet of assorted exterior and door colors. City funds were not required for this project, as the paint and other supplies were donated by Sherwin Williams and Construction Services Group, Inc. Time ran out on Saturday, September 20 before volunteers could finish the entire project, so the group plans to finish the job a week later on September 27.

Residents who were on site during the work party made comments such as, “I like the uniqueness,” “It looks brighter,” “It will make people feel better!” “Colors matter!” “It feels hopeful,”  and “It feels like a home instead of a box.”

Stan Bower, president of the Vancouver Washington Stake shared, “The Vancouver Washington Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been grateful to partner with Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and the City of Vancouver to paint temporary shelters as part of the Safe Stay program. Participating in this project is one way we are striving to follow Jesus Christ’s invitation to serve others. We hope the residents of this community will feel God’s love through that service as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing.  Thank you to Mayor Anne for the opportunity to participate in this community service project.”

Crystal Drake, program lead for Outsiders Inn, the organization that manages Vancouver’s Safe Stay Communities, shared about the value of surrounding environment for quality of life.

“I think it’s great!” Drake said. “The residents are excited!  A person’s environment has a big impact on their mental health, and going from a white sterile look to a colorful, more individualized look will uplift everyone.”

Learn more about the City of Vancouver’s Safe Stay Communities at https://www.cityofvancouver.us/city-managers-office/homeless/safe-stay-communities/.