Warming Centers and Stations Up and Running for Winter

Mon, 12/28/2015 - 2:18pm by iralax

Washtenaw County is again expanding its daytime and overnight warming to provide safe, warm spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness during severe winter weather.

To address these very real needs, the Winter Emergency Shelter/Warming Center Response work group has worked with local agency partners to provide additional beds this winter. In addition to the 50 beds at the Delonis Shelter, an Overnight Warming Center will be hosted by three congregations on a rotating basis thru March 30th of 2015 from 7pm-7am, and operated by Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC).

Overnight Warming Center participants are required to check in between 7 pm and 8 pm at Delonis Center, 312 West Huron Street. Individuals will be screened for access to housing resources, then will be bused to the offsite location. At 7:00 am each morning, participants will be transported to the Saint Andrew’s breakfast program.

The Daytime Warming Centers will be open 9 am-4 pm each day and participants will be required to give their name every day they attend to keep track of the community need. Monday-Friday daytime warming center will be at the churches on a rotation basis, with the Delonis Center operating Saturday and Sunday from 7:45 am to 7 pm.

In cases of extreme cold, when public schools are closed (20 below, with or without wind chill), additional temporary warming stations will also be available to any Washtenaw County resident. Individuals in Washtenaw County who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness can call 734-961-1999. For more information about the warming center, please contact Andrea Plevek at pleveka@ewashtenaw.org or 734-544-3039.