Safe Bay
What is Safe Bay?
Safe Bay is a secure overnight space for people living in their vehicles. It is open nightly from June 1st through October 2024, and provides:
- A secure place to rest without harassment or intrusion from neighbors or law enforcement
- Access to showers and bathrooms
- Wi-Fi
- Help with housing applications
- Breakfast
Safe Bay is a collaboration between Chum and Damiano Center, with hours from 8 PM to 8 AM.
Who uses Safe Bay?
Safe Bay is open to anyone experiencing homelessness and living in a vehicle. Our guests include single people, couples, families with children, and multigenerational families. Home is a car, truck, van or camper. Most of our guests are working and many have had no previous contact with street outreach workers or other homeless services. With hundreds of households experiencing homelessness on any given night and only 155 shelter beds in the Duluth area, conditions in shelter can be extremely crowded. Some people who own a vehicle choose that over shelter because it provides more autonomy, privacy and safety. But it isn't easy: quarters are cramped, you don't have regular access to bathrooms, and harassment or even well-meaning welfare checks can keep you from getting a good night's sleep.
How can I help?
Volunteer hosts are needed in the evenings and mornings to welcome guests and ensure the space is safe for everyone. Register here.
Volunteer mechanics are needed to assist with minor repairs. This can be a lifesaver for families that are just making ends meet and saving up for housing. If you can help, contact joel@steppingonupduluth.org
The following donations are also needed and can be delivered in person or shipped to the Chum office at 102 W 2nd St, Duluth, MN 55802.
- Car sunshades (simple, accordion style shades help protect people from streetlights and heat in the summer)
- Gas cards ($20, for fuel only)
