The Compassion of Community
WARMING CENTERS
The Warming Center is a welcoming and safe drop-in center where unsheltered adults and children can come and spend the night and be safe from the environmental hazards of the street during the winter months. Access to the shelter is on a first come first serve basis until capacity is reached.
The Center offers a safe space, with beverages and a hot meal, access to bathrooms and shower, and the ability to rest on a cot.
Each night, guests may talk with expert staff to get a referral to physical and mental health care, addiction treatment services and housing services.
IS YOUR COMMUNITY INTERESTED IN STARTING A WARMING CENTER?
WARMING CENTERS IN EAST TN
TVCH has teamed up with several local organizations to provide a network of warming centers in the East TN region. These shelters are funded by community donations and The Charlie’s Fund to and distributed by TVCH. Shelter hours and intake details vary and are determined by local shelter operators. This initiative offers a place for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability to go to get warm and to prevent loss of life and loss of limbs due to freezing temperatures.
Please note that for all shelters, there will be no drug or alcohol use, no violence, no theft and no destruction of property allowed on site. Partners open warming shelters when severe weather hits to keep hundreds of people safe.
We have come DANGEROUSLY close to accepting the HOMELESS SITUATION as a problem we just can’t solve.
TVCH and local organizations monitor weather conditions and open emergency warming centers as needed.
- Temperatures are forecast at 32 degrees or below
Forecasters predict an inch or more of snow
Overnight temperatures drop below 32 degrees
Other conditions occur as needed, including severe wind chills or extreme temperature fluctuations
