01/09/2024
https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4096/Cold-Weather-Sheltering
For Release: Immediately
Local Organizations Rally Together Again to Save Lives During Wednesday’s Winter Storm
Community Support Needed to Help Save Our Unsheltered Neighbors from Cold Weather related Death or Injury
Fayetteville— January 9,2024 — The cold front moving in to our area this weekend presents a potentially deadly scenario for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Frostbite, hypothermia, and even death are very likely to occur when someone is exposed to temperatures of 15 degrees or less for long periods of time.
7hills Homeless Center, Genesis Church, St. James Baptist Church, New Beginning Bridge Housing Community and The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas have teamed up to provide a collaborative solution to protect anyone needing shelter during these extreme cold days. When the temperatures reach a wind chill or “feels-like” temperature of 15 degrees or less, this team springs into action to save lives. During the evening, once the emergency shelter at Salvation Army reaches capacity, Genesis Church will open its doors to operate an emergency overflow shelter. Guests staying there will have cots, blankets, pillows, and a storage bin. People are allowed to check in at 6PM and enjoy a warm dinner provided by Genesis Church. Staffing for the overnight shelter is provided by New Beginnings and Micah 6:8 Ministries.
At 6:00 AM, Genesis Church, St. James Baptist Church and The Salvation Army close their overnight shelter. Transportation is provided to 7hills Homeless Center. 7hills opens early on these cold days to provide a warming center, coffee, breakfast and lunch, winter clothing, and bathrooms. 7hills extends their normal operating hours to 6PM to complement the Genesis Church and St. James Baptist Church shelter operating hours.
In response, 7hills has established a collaborative fund to support the operational costs of the overnight and day shelter operations.
Community Support Needed
The most urgent need is for funding to support rehousing efforts. It costs on average about $2,000 per day to provide 24 hours of emergency shelter. Donations can be made.
How to Help
Those wanting to support the CREW’s emergency response can go to https://tinyurl.com/COLDWXNWA to learn more or make a gift.
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