Last updated on February 21st, 2025 at 08:30 am
Current Operations
We have another week of operations at the Warming Center starting Sunday night. Please continue to look at this page for the latest updates — the weather doesn’t cooperate with us!
We are so grateful for volunteer servants who support this community Warming Center. The Warming Center will be open as long as temps are 38 degrees or colder — we close between noon and 6pm when other spaces are available for shelter.
Here’s the current line-up:
| Date (ID) | Times | Servants |
| Feb 21 (WC48) Fri->Sat Open: 8pm Soup by: Central Presbyterian Church | Pre-Shift (WC48-Pre) Friday, Feb 21 7:30pm – 10:00pm | Men Nate Bradford Ralph Little Xavier Noel Pin Harry Women Emily Cartee ________ |
| A-Shift (WC48-A) Friday, Feb 21 9:30pm – 2:00am | Men Seth Riddley Joey Oppermann Women Eleanor Walters ________ | |
| B-Shift (WC48-B) Saturday, Feb 22 2:00am – 6:30am | Men Steve Crowder ________ Women Sarah Crowder | |
| C-Shift (WC48-C) Saturday, Feb 22 6:30am – 9:00am | Men ________ ________ Women ________ ________ | |
| Feb 22 (WC49) Sat->Sun Open: 10pm | A-Shift (WC49-A) Saturday, Feb 22 9:30pm – 2:00am | Men Scott Kellner Nate Bradford Women Eleanor Walters Libba Kellner |
| B-Shift (WC49-B) Sunday, Feb 23 2:00am – 6:30am | Men Jackson Caito ________ Women ________ | |
| C-Shift (WC49-C) Sunday, Feb 23 6:30am – 9:00am | Men ________ ________ Women ________ ________ | |
| Feb 24 (WC50) B-Shift only Open: 2am | B-Shift (WC50-B) Monday, Feb 24 2:00am – 6:30am | Men ________ ________ Women Eleanor Walters Evelyn Bradley |
*Please note C-Shift Opportunities. We’re not normally open on Sundays (or the last Saturday of the month), so we need additional support after the night of operations.
Volunteer Servants: When you email or text me, please indicate the shift (e.g., WC05-Pre, WC05-A, etc.) to ensure I know which timeslot you are committing to. I’ve tried to keep the A-Shift and B-Shift as consistent as possible. When we open early, I’ve added a “pre” shift to open the Big Room and allow people to come in out of the cold.
We’re typically at the Mission by 5:30am. When it’s cold, we’ll certainly let people inside!
Please email dave@hopeupstate.org if you are available to serve.
2024-2025 Warming Center Season Stats (in progress)
Overview
HOPE Missions is blessed to serve as an emergency warming center for anyone needing a safe haven when cold temperatures threaten their safety or during extreme weather. During the winter (November 1st through March 31st), the Cold Weather Advisory Team reviews local hourly weather forecasts at least 48 hours in advance and decides when to open the center. Conditions include temperatures 38 degrees or below for at least four consecutive hours, extreme windchill, snow or icy conditions, etc. Opening times vary based on the forecasted conditions.
We will continue to share love and extend grace to those who need it most. We desire to serve people by helping them move into healthier and more stable places by providing short- and long-term resources and showing the love of Christ to all.
We Need Your Help!
We’re looking for teams of men and women to volunteer to serve during the night, supporting warming center operations. We need adult men and women to cover overnight operations, typically from 9:30 pm to 6:30 am at HOPE Missions, in two shifts: 9:30pm – 2am and 2am – 6:30am.
- First Shift: Typically 9:30 pm – 2:00 am
- Setup cots, blankets, sheets, etc.
- Keep track of all guests: cots and the Big Room
- Assign people to their specific cot
- Perform 30-minute security checks
- Make coffee, setup air pots, and condiments
- Second Shift: Typically 2:00 am to 6:30 am
- Keep track of all guests: cots and the Big Room
- Perform 30-minute security checks
- Ensure the coffee service area is clean and stocked
- Wake-up guests at 6:00 am
- Secure blankets and sheets per guest (bag and tag)
Please complete the form below (link here) or come and visit any day we’re open!! (Mon-Saturday, except last Saturday of the month from 7:15-10 am.) We will follow up with a phone call to talk with you about getting on the schedule. We’re here to ensure the safety and comfort of those experiencing homelessness or simply to escape the cold.
Please contact Dave (dave@hopeupstate.org) for more information!
Our Volunteer Servant form is located here: https://hopeupstate.org/volunteer-form/
Warming Center Rules
This short list of rules is based on showing kindness to each other and is designed to ensure the safety and welfare of all who participate in our efforts.
- Be kind
- No alcohol, marijuana, or drugs of any kind anywhere on our property
- No weapons
- Vapes must be stored or on charging stations behind the check-in counter
- Men and Women sleep in separate accommodations regardless of marital or personal relationships
- No food in the sleeping area
- Cots are assigned by staff based on opening time
- The sleeping area must be kept clean and quiet
- Lights remain on in the hallway
- Gates are locked after we open. If you leave, you may not return until the next day.
- The courtyard door is locked at midnight. If you exit this door, you may not return until the next day.
- Staff will ask guests to leave the sleeping area at 6:00 am
- The areas will be clean and tidy by 6:30 am
- Wait in the “Big Room” until we are ready to serve breakfast