The Five Cities Ministerial Association in partnership with 5Cities Homeless Coalition is leading efforts to provide a safe, warm and dry place for homeless adults to find shelter for the night during this winter on nights with predictions of temperatures at or below 39°F, or especially stormy weather (with rain forecast at 50% or greater) November 26 through April 30.
BASIC INFORMATION
- The Warming Center is operating at a new location, at LifePoint Church at 946 Rockaway in Grover Beach.
- The Warming Center will operate through at least March 31, 2020, funding permitting.
- The 5 Cities Warming Center opens when the weather is forecast to be 39° or colder, or there’s a 50% or greater chance of rain overnight.
- We give at least 24 hours notice (usually 48 hours) of opening, barring any unforeseen emergency weather conditions.
- Our normal hours of operation are 5:00 pm – 8:00 am.
- On an average night, approximately 20 guests are expected.
- The facility is large enough to accommodate 30-40 cots and space for serving meals and eating.
- Restrooms are sufficient in size to accommodate 20-40 people.
LOCATION
The location is LifePoint Felt Needs Center at 946 Rockaway in Grover Beach.
YOU CAN VOLUNTEER OR DONATE
Volunteers are needed for all shifts, including set-up; check-in; dinner and breakfast; overnight supervision; cleanup; laundry assistance; shopping for supplies; and more.
Additionally we will need a variety of supplies, clothing and resources. Sign-up now to receive notifications of needs for volunteers and donations. Moisses.Rodriguez@5chc.org
SERVICES
The services provided will be a warm place to rest and sleep, dinner and a light breakfast. Guests will be provided with bedding and cots and dry sleeping garments (as available). 5Cities Homeless Coalition and other homeless service partners will outreach to guests to provide a spectrum of community services as appropriate. Other possible services might include:
NOTIFICATION OF OPENING
Based on weather forecasts, the 5Cities Homeless Coalition will notify designated staff members, volunteers, first responders, government agencies, community partners and other interested parties 24- 48 hours in advance of opening. A team of volunteers will be mobilized to assist with the center and meal provision.
Additionally people may sign up for text alerts to be notified of when the Warming Center is being activitate.
SCHEDULE (tentative)
Set-up begins approximately 4:00 pm and the Center opens at 5:00 p.m. on designated nights. Clients are asked to not come to the Center until 5:00 p.m. A dinner will be provided in the evening and light breakfast in the morning. The center services cease at 8:00 a.m. and clean-up is completed by 9:00 a.m. All clients who are not participating in other services at the location are be required to leave the premises by 8:00 a.m.
STAFFING
A minimum of two employees or trained volunteers staff the Warming Center at all times it is open. Additional volunteers and staff are onsite in the early evening and in the mornings to assist with client check-in, meals, set-up and cleanup.
NOTIFICATION OF OPENING
Text “Add Me” with your Name to 805-710-4330 to receive automatic text updates to your cell phone for when the Warming Center will open. For updates, you may also call our Warming Center hotline at 805-710-4330 for a voicemail recording, or check our Facebook page: 5CitiesHomelessCoalition.
On-site contact, and information number:
805-710-4330 – Warming Center Hot Line
We also have information cards available to let potential guests know about the Warming Center and the circumstances under which it will open. If you would like a supply of these cards to hand out, please call our office at (805) 574-1638.
DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS
Donations (ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW): 5CHC is currently taking donations of NEW sweatshirts, sweatpants, socks, and underwear. Food Items: Coffee (reg & decaf), tea, hot chocolate, cereal, granola bars, peanut butter & jelly, and individually packaged juice, crackers, cookies, and chips.
If you would like to volunteer: Please contact Moisses Rodriguez, Warming Center Operations Coordinator, at (805) 295-1501, moisses.rodriguez@5chc.org.
Note: You must be 18yrs. or older to volunteer. Anyone under the age of 18 is not allowed to enter the Warming Center.
We’re using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Copy and paste this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/OYpCTMQ
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
EMPLOYMENT:
5Cities Homeless Coalition is hiring for overnight Warming Center monitors. If you have interest in joining the 5CHC staff to help with this effort, please email info@5chc.org, or call (805) 574-1638.
