‘Warm Nights’ to expand shelter service
Barb Wise, manager of Warm Nights, said last winter’s program ran from Jan. 1, 2016, through the end of February, and was hosted by four different places – three churches and Greene County Fairgrounds – opened their doors for those needing help.
However, this winter, the location will not be changing. The program is expanding because it now has its own building during the winter season.
This summer, Greene County Commissioner Blair Zimmerman gave Wise the keys to a county building – which she said resembles a house – that will be used as the new warming shelter for four full months. From Dec. 1 through the end of March, the program will be operational.
The house will be open from December through March on nights that are below 25 degrees. The building is able to house 10 people, however, those wishing to stay in the house must register beforehand, and no walk-ins will be taken.
People who want to register must call the hotline before the 4:30 p.m. deadline that night. Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the clients staying may arrive, but the program’s strict structure requires the doors locking for the night at 10 p.m. and the lights are shut off in the building at 11 p.m.
Wise said last winter not many people took advantage of the program, but she hopes that the consistency this year will attract more people. After a smooth winter, Wise said the goal is to work out the kinks in hopes that the 2017-2018 winter season is when the program might see its largest increase in client participation.
Wise is the executive director at the Greene County United Way (GCUW), but said the Warm Nights program is not a part of the GCUW, as she started Warm Nights on her own last year. After the county brought American Red Cross back, she realized there was “still a need” for a warming shelter.
“There are homeless people that sleep in their cars in the parking lot at Wal-Mart,” said Wise. “I didn’t think we had homeless people, but we do.”
Wise said the idea was from another county, that she “didn’t reinvent the wheel” but rather simply tweaked the program for Greene County.
After the building was given the thumbs up for the program’s use, it needed some maintenance work before being furnished.
Wise said that all of the cots, furniture and blankets were donated to the program. She added that Contura Energy Services made significant contributions, donating several living room furniture items, a kitchen table and chairs, a refrigerator and also cash.
Several local churches held snack drives and have donated the items to the Warm Nights program.
About 20 volunteers also contributed their time to helping those in need.
The building that the program will be using this winter has a bathroom with a shower, which Wise said is something the executive committee really likes.
Clients did not have the option to shower last winter, but, according to Wise, this option is now available.
The next morning clients are awaken at the 6:30 a.m. wake up time, and then must help the two volunteers with the cleanup process.
Since the program is only for nights, clients must leave at 7 a.m. and clients wishing to stay again, even if staying the following night, must reregister for that night’s stay.
Wise said the program doesn’t provide dinner for the clients, but does supply snacks, provided by local church drives.
Fliers will be located throughout the county – at the gas stations, Wal-Mart and Salvation Army – that inform people of the program.
Although there are homeless people located throughout the county, they don’t all want help – something Wise said is disheartening.
She also said that homeless people aren’t the only ones the center is for. Warm Nights is open for anyone in the county: last year she said a woman having problems at home needed a place to stay so she stayed with the program.
“We are doing the best we can,” said Wise.
Wise said that every member who stays the night will receive a blanket and a comfort kit, which are donated by the Salvation Army, that include basic hygiene items such as toothpaste, a tooth brush and soap.
Every morning when the clients leave, they must take all of their belongings they brought with them and everything the “Warm Night” volunteer gives them.
For more information on Warm Nights contact Wise at 724-852-1009.