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Warming Center

Church Street’s commitment to its neighbors was never more evident than in mid-February 2025 when the church stepped up to mobilize and open a warming center within 48 hours of learning about an urgent need. This need was caused by the unexpected shutdown of two nearby warming centers.

That extraordinary response was noted and greatly appreciated by the joint City/County Office of Housing Stability and led to Church Street again partnering with the Office of Housing Stability to be an emergency “low barrier” warming center this winter. The Office of Housing Stability will call for warming centers to open whenever the overnight temperature is predicted to drop below 25 degrees. That threshold was met twice in mid-February, but is expected to be reached approximately 25 times over the course of this winter.

We have a great opportunity to create a safe space for people in our neighborhood to spend a warm night with a hot meal.

Learn more about what being a volunteer entails here: CSUMC Warming Center Training Doc

Click below to make a donation to help us provide cots and other warming center supplies to help those in need this winter!

Donate here!

What is the Warming Center, and how can you help?

Our Mission’s Committee chair, Jeff Smith, sits down to talk about how it came to be and what we need to get it running this year. Check out this handout from the Office of Housing Stability for more information.

Trauma-Informed Care

Allison Lowe, LPC-MHSP, CEDS, talks about understanding and responding to the mental health challenges of our Warming Center guests.

Contact

Lots of volunteers will be needed to meet our goal of providing a kind and hospitable place for our neighbors to secure warmth, something to eat, and a place to sleep. If you would like to learn more details or are interested in being a volunteer, please reach out to communications@churchstreetumc.org.

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Volunteer Job Duties and Responsibilities

How the Warming Center did in 25-26 Winter Season?

Our Mission’s Committee chair, Jeff Smith, sits down to talk about how it came to be and what we need to get it running this year.

The Office of Housing Stability came out with the below handout