Last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 07:46 pm
We have another run of 4 nights at the Warming Center beginning Friday night through Christmas Eve morning. Please consider jumping in and taking a shift!
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.
| Date (ID) | Times | Servants |
| Friday Dec 20 (13) Open: 10pm | A-Shift (WC13-A) Friday, 12/20 9:30pm – 2am | Men Luther Hill Joey Oppermann Women Eleanor Walters ___________ |
| B-Shift (WC13-B) Saturday, 12/21 2am – 6:30am | Men Nick Glover ___________ Women Amanda Glover ___________ | |
| Saturday Dec 21 (14) Open: 10pm | A-Shift (WC14-A) Saturday, 12/21 9:30pm – 2am | Men Jackson Caito ___________ Women Eleanor Walters ___________ |
| B-Shift (WC14-B) Sunday, 12/22 2am – 6:30am | Men Nick Glover ___________ Women Amanda Glover ___________ | |
| We are not normally open on Sundays. C-Shift added for support! | C-Shift (WC14-C) Sunday, 12/22 6:30 – 9:30am | Men James Cochran Jackson Caito Women ___________ ___________ |
| Sunday Dec 22 (15) Open: 6pm Soup Provided by: Tom & Peggy | Setup (WC15-Pre) Sunday, 12/22 5:30pm – 10pm | Men Brant Elrod Cordell Maddox Women Kate Elrod Sunny Wells |
| A-Shift (WC15-A) Sunday, 12/22 9:30pm – 2am | Men Phil Morse Joey Opperman Women Eleanor Walters ___________ | |
| B-Shift (WC15-B) Monday, 12/23 2am – 6:30am | Men Chip Reaves ___________ Women ___________ ___________ | |
| Monday Dec 23 (16) Open: 6pm Soup Provided by: Deedi | Setup (WC16-Pre) Monday, 12/23 5:30pm – 10pm | Men Tommy Morris ___________ Women Joan Baillargeon ___________ |
| A-Shift (WC16-A) Monday, 12/23 9:30pm – 2am | Men Jackson Caito Lee Marthers Women Eleanor Walters ___________ | |
| B-Shift (WC16-B) Tuesday, 12/24 2am – 6:30am | Men Chip Reaves ___________ Women Vicki Dixon ___________ |
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.
2023-2024 Warming Center Season Stats
This season’s Warming Center Operations ran from on Nov 1st, 2023 and ended on March 19, 2024. We have provided 2,128 shelter spaces for 242 throughout this season. Imagine if someone had to pay for hotel rooms OR visits to the Emergency Room!
- Warming Center Operations: 48
- Date range: Nov 1, 2023 through March 19, 2024 (the Mission is open by 6:30 am for normal operations — not considered as Warming Center operations)
- Average attendance: 44
- Hometown:
- Anderson County: 67%
- Unknown: 14%
- Other South Carolina: 16%
- Out of State: 3%
- Unique Individuals served: 242
- 42 came to the Mission for the first time (52 only came once)
- Youngest: 12 yrs old (with mother)
- Oldest: 82 years old
- Identify as male: 172
- Identify as female: 70
- Veterans: 11
- Total bed spaces: 2,128
HOPE Missions’ Warming Center utilization by age continues to surprise us as we see so many older men and women seeking a warm place to be overnight.
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 always 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 about an hour after we open. If you leave, you may not return
- 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