Pat Abernathy has been with the Madras Shelter since its very beginning in 2018. That first season, the shelter was born out of urgency—after someone tragically passed away on the street during dangerously low temperatures. In response, Pat and a few other compassionate community members came together to launch a warming shelter, doing whatever they could to keep people safe.

The first location was in the LINC office, and Pat stepped up to lead the effort. Over the next five years, the shelter operated seasonally—popping up during extreme heat and cold. From the LINC office, to the garage at Cornerstone Baptist Church, and eventually to the old Grasslands Building, the shelter grew into what it is today.

After years of planning and prayer, Pat’s vision became reality. In January 2023, the Faith Based Network opened the doors to a permanent shelter facility on the hill—transforming what began as a seasonal lifeline into a year-round place of hope, stability, and refuge for those experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County.

When Pat isn’t working at the shelter, she enjoys serving coffee at her local church, visiting her children, and loving on each person she encounters.