Youth-Driven Winter Relief: How Kalispell Students Protect the Unhoused

Glacier High School students in Kalispell are addressing a critical natural hazard impacting their community: extreme winter conditions that place unhoused residents at serious risk of hypothermia and even death. In Flathead County, access to warmth and safety can be limited. Local warming shelters operate within set hours, often reach capacity, and may lack sufficient resources. Many businesses restrict access or require purchases, creating additional barriers for individuals who cannot spare even a small amount of money.

In response, students designed a practical, dignity-centered solution to increase winter resilience. They are assembling drawstring emergency kits containing hand warmers, a collapsible water bottle, an emergency sleeping bag, boxer briefs, lip balm, antibiotic ointment, bandages, gloves, and plastic bags. These kits are intended to provide immediate relief and protection during extreme cold events.

Beyond distributing supplies, students are working to deepen their impact by collecting data, listening directly to unhoused community members, and organizing supply drives to support local warming shelters. Their project not only addresses the urgent risks posed by harsh winter weather but also educates the broader community about the specific needs of unhoused residents.

This student-led initiative demonstrates the power of youth civic engagement in strengthening community resilience to natural hazards—showing how young people can move from identifying a local problem to implementing meaningful, systems-aware solutions.