Arriving in Missoula four months ago, Tonya Ridesatthedoor was homeless after prison and needed essentials. Feeling “institutionalized,” she didn’t know where to seek help. However, after moving from the Johnson Street homeless shelter to a pallet home, she discovered the Watershed Navigation Center. Ridesatthedoor felt welcomed, stating, “I kept coming back… I know even if I show up in tears, they will help.”
The Watershed Navigation Center, part of the Trinity Apartments affordable housing project near the Missoula County jail, opened full-time in September. Its mission is to connect the unhoused and recently incarcerated with resources to reduce recidivism. Chelsea Wittmann, the county’s justice initiatives coordinator, emphasized the center’s role in keeping people out of jail and within their communities.
Watershed offers a Partnership Health Center clinic and a reentry program. The center helped Ridesatthedoor establish primary care and find work through PeopleReady. By September, she secured independent housing for the first time. “There’s no judgment at all,” she said, appreciating the 100% support system.
In 2019, Missoula County donated land for the 202-unit Trinity Apartments project to address low-income housing needs and overcrowded jails. Chris Lounsbury noted the long-term benefit of community-based services over jail expansion. The 2022 update to a 2016 plan revealed fewer nonviolent offenders in jail but increased strain from inmates needing separate cells for mental health issues.
A recent report highlighted the promise of resources like Watershed amid gaps. In Missoula, 18% of jail bookings involved unhoused individuals, with Native Americans disproportionately represented. Karissa Trujillo, Homeword’s executive director, said Watershed could aid vulnerable groups in reducing justice involvement and housing insecurity.
The Watershed site, open to anyone, follows PHC’s street medicine initiative, offering medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Ty Robinson, the county’s reentry navigator at Watershed, assists individuals exiting jail or hospital, ensuring continuity of care. Despite challenges, including housing availability, Robinson and others work to facilitate reintegration into the community.
Sixto Cordova, a Watershed client, secured a job and housing prospects shortly after visiting. Cordova praised the center for opportunities, saying, “If it wasn’t for this place, I wouldn’t have found that opportunity.” He utilized Watershed resources to connect with the Missoula Housing Authority, saving time and effort.
Watershed offers numerous facilities including laundry and locker rooms, essential for clients storing and maintaining personal belongings. The center’s community room serves as a busy hub for clients watching TV, charging phones, or engaging in community activities. The center partners with organizations like Missoula Municipal Court and Interfaith Collaborative’s Housing Advocate Network to enhance service delivery.
Watershed aids organizations like Welcome Back, providing a stable venue for support group meetings. The group helps those exiting incarceration connect with community resources effectively. Ali Lacayo, operations coordinator, values Watershed’s comprehensive support system, stating, “What we want is to give someone community and a safe place.”
Amid community challenges like the city’s camping regulations and shelter closures, Watershed remains a crucial support avenue. Ty Robinson anticipates increased demand with shelter closures and colder weather. The center supports individuals like Cordova and Ridesatthedoor, who view the center as a family.
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