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About Us

Strengthening our community by providing safety, shelter, and beds for those in need during extreme weather.

Shelter Solutions for Central Montana, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established by a diverse coalition of community members. This coalition includes social service nonprofit agencies, community organizations, and individuals from various faith communities. Their diverse backgrounds highlight the inclusivity and strong community support that underlie the organization's mission to ensure that unsheltered individuals have overnight shelter during extreme cold weather. Participants include CMMC, One Health, The McKenna Agency, multiple nonprofits (Salvation Army, HRDC, Kiwanis), pastors, churches, community members, and more.

Shelter Solutions opened a 12-hour winter warming center in 2024. At this time, we are not proposing a specific location. During the winter of 2023/2024, the Episcopal Church provided space for Shelter Solutions to host the warming center in February. It was also used for three days amidst a severe cold weather event in early January 2024. The congregation of the Episcopal Church once again approved using the church as a location for the warming center in 2025 for January and February, as well as 4 Code Blues during extreme weather. We continue to talk with other organizations and churches in town to extend the time to provide a warm bed for those in need during the winter.

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear
and the blind can see."

Mark Twain.
Our Values and Guiding Principles

Respect

We respect ourselves, each other, and those we serve.

Integrity

We carry ourselves with integrity and strive to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in all that we do.

Community

We value our relationships and partnerships and promote a sense of connection and belonging for everyone.

Collaboration

We bring our individual knowledge, skills and strengths, believing that together we can accomplish more than any one of us may accomplish alone.

Commitment

We are dedicated to meeting and overcoming challenges together.

Meet the Team

Jean Collins

President
Jean has lived in Montana most of her life. Twenty years or so have been lived in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey. She has been an Episcopal Priest for 40 years and raised two exceptional children - though they tell her differently. She's expecting her first grandchild and is incredibly excited. She tries really hard to follow Jesus.

Dave Scotten

Vice President of Facilities Utilization and Development

Dave is a Montana native, having been born in Butte in 1955. Dave and his wife have been residents of Lewistown since 1987. He is a former employee of Montana Power Co./ Northwestern Energy. Dave retired seven years ago after a thirty-three-year career as a lineman.

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Kerry Murphy

Vice president of Communications

Kerry is a fifth-generation Montanan with deep roots in this beautiful state. She recently retired from teaching for 40 years and is enjoying her retirement. Kerry's journey with Shelter Solutions for Central Montana began with a simple belief: Everyone deserves a warm, safe place to sleep.

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Reverend Kimmy Briggs

Vice President of Fiscal Management

Rev. Kimmy Briggs grew up in Olympia, WA, before completing her Master of Divinity Degree in New Jersey and moving to Atlanta, GA to begin her career as a pastor. She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Kimmy moved to Montana four years ago to become a pastor in Lewistown.

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Cathy Bartell

Treasurer

Bio coming soon.

Darla Kolar

Assistant Treasurer

Darla was born and raised on a farm in Northern MT. After graduating in Elementary Ed from U of M, she taught in Broadus, MT and in Wright, WY.  Darla was lucky enough to move back to MT to meet her husband, Phillip and raise 3 children!  She is now retired,  having volunteered and worked in the Lewistown Public Schools since 1996.  She still helps take tickets for the football games as well as some volleyball & basketball games.  Lewistown is a great caring community!!

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Laura Bennett

Secretary
Laura is a 4th generation Montanan who was born in Great Falls. She attended Carroll College and left the state to attend medical school and do a residency in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. Laura returned to Montana, met her husband, Ron Walters, and moved to Lewistown. Laura and Ron worked and raised their three children here and have retired. They are involved with several farm animals, cycling on their tandem, weaving on looms, and activities that support our community.

Let's make a change today

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