Warming shelter getting ready for winter

The Springfield Warming Shelter is fast approaching our sixth season of operation. In that brief time period, the shelter has served 166 individuals who were in need of a warm place to sleep during the cold winter months in southern Vermont.

The Warming Shelter collaborates with local churches and agencies including SEVCA, HCRS, Springfield Medical Care Systems Community Health Team, Springfield Supported Housing, Springfield Family Center, Springfield Police Department, Vermont Agency for Human Services, and Vermont Department of Economic Services. All guests staying at the shelter were given the opportunity to work with any of these organizations that might be able to help them improve their health and well being.

The eight-bed shelter is open every night from Nov. 15 through April 15. For the 2017-2018 season, the shelter was at capacity 6 percent of the time. One hundred sixty-six different adults were housed over the past five seasons. Approximately 30 percent of the guests were able to obtain stable housing with the aid of local social service partners. Meals were provided by several members of our local churches and from other citizens. All guests were offered access to the Springfield Family Center during the day. All guests were offered support from various local social service organizations. During the 2017-2018 shelter season, there were over 70 volunteers from the community who help staff the shelter by donating 3,408 hours.

This is where your warming shelter needs additional community support. The Springfield Warming Shelter fills a need not only in Springfield but in the surrounding communities. The shelter is staffed with two volunteers from 6:30 p.m. to 1230 a.m. and 12:30 to 6:30 a.m. every day during the season. This equates to 120 shifts per month. Volunteers may sign up for shifts on a recurring weekly, every other week, or monthly basis. Other volunteers fill in as a need exists. However, without volunteers, the shelter is not able to continue to meet these important need within our communities.

Volunteers receive an orientation, and orientation sessions will be available throughout the season. Initially new volunteer orientation is scheduled for Oct. 15 and 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers only need to attend one session. Orientation will be held at the North Springfield Baptist Church where the warming shelter is located.

If you want additional information or would like to help for at least six hours a month, please call the shelter at 888-264-3001, by email at svtwsc@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/springfieldwarmingshelter.