Grace Wins Fundraising For A Permanent Shelter

Grace Wins Haven has the opportunity to purchase a building to be used as a permanent overnight shelter and provide some possible low income housing. In the past few years, prior to the pandemic, Grace Wins was able to utilize space at the County Commons for a winter overnight shelter. This gave those in need a warm, dry, indoor space to sleep during the cold, wet and windy months on the coast. The pandemic changed things and the space is no longer available.

In 2020 and 2021, with help from the city of Newport, Grace Wins was able to offer hotel room nights for some of their clients when temperatures reached below 40 degrees. This option was very expensive and not everyone was able to be helped who needed it. This also left many without shelter during rainy and windy nights. The situation led to the loss of one life and numerous hospitalizations for hypothermia. Something Grace Wins Executive Director Traci Flowers wants to see change. "No one deserves to die because they can't afford a safe place to live."

A local business owner saw the need and asked Flowers if there would be interest in purchasing a building he is looking to sell. Flowers consulted her board and spoke with local city and county officials who are in favor of the project. Kiera Morgan, Grace Wins Haven board president said "This is an excellent opportunity to have a permanent year round overnight shelter to serve Lincoln County seniors, veterans and other individuals in need."

Grace Wins is currently fundraising, looking for grant opportunities and community support to raise the 4 million needed to purchase the building. Planning is now in the early stages however it looks like the shelter would be able to accommodate over 50 individuals in need of overnight shelter year round. The property also has the potential to provide low income apartments for permanent monthly housing. Flowers stated that "it is going to take the whole community to turn this opportunity into a reality."

Grace Wins will be participating in numerous fundraisers this summer. They will be at the Wild Seafood Cookoff July 23rd on the Newport Bayfront from 11-4 serving crab rangoons. Tickets for this event are available online at https://www.newportfishermenswives.com/. They are also hosting a "Back to the 50's Weekend" August 5th and 6th at the Newport Grocery Outlet 's parking lot. Friday is featuring a sock hop, ice cream social and dance to 50's music sung by an Elvis impersonator. Saturday will start with a pancake breakfast from 9-11, then a car show, vendors, games, food, music and more. Tickets are $10 per person for adults or $30 for a family of 4 when purchased a head of time.

Grace Wins Haven's mission is to assist the unhoused and others in need in Lincoln County Oregon to utilize community resources, to create healthy living conditions, to set goals for independent living, to offer food, clothing and other needs and to provide a place to learn and work on life skills Flowers added "We invite the community to come out and support all of these great family activities this summer," said Flowers. Those wishing to volunteer, purchase tickets for the 50's weekend or make a donation are welcome to call Grace Wins at

541-265-1974.