93.3 KWTO Keeping Watch Over the Ozarks
Cold weather shelters in Springfield are in need of volunteers to operate efficiently on the nights they are providing shelter to the homeless of our community.
The First Unitarian Universalist Church, Hope Church, and Salvation Army are all opening their doors to serve as Crisis Cold Weather sites. First Unitarian is open now, with Hope and Salvation Army’s Harbor House opening January 1. The sites add to the number of available beds for men.
“We are happy to assist with our Overflow Crisis Cold Weather Shelter for men, which we have provided for many years. This year we are especially aware of the extra challenges and we are grateful for our partners who are working together to provide shelter from the cold,” ] Jeff Smith, Community Relations Director with Salvation Army, said in a statement.
“I sat on a Zoom call with community leaders who expressed concern of not having enough buildings available to provide shelter to the homeless during the winter season,” Cheree Whaley, Outreach Pastor with Hope Church, said in a statement. “I felt the Lord remind me of Isaiah 58 and realized that Hope Church could be a solution for the city. After sharing my heart with our lead pastor, Pastor Josh, we decided that we could open up our building during the month of January as a Crisis Cold Weather Shelter for homeless men in our city.”
The churches involved in providing shelter are working with the Community Partnership of the Ozarks. CP’s Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness is trying to obtain enough volunteers to ensure the extra beds are open. Most shelters will need at least two people over the age of 18 who can volunteer between 7:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. to assist those seeking shelter.
If you wish to volunteer, visit the CPO’s Crisis Cold Weather page or call 888-2020.