Warming center facts for kids
A warming center is a special place where people can go to stay warm and dry when the weather outside is very cold or wet. They are a bit like homeless shelters, but they usually open only when the weather is dangerous.
The main goal of a warming center is to make sure no one is left out in the freezing cold. Every year, some people get very sick or even die from being too cold and wet. Warming centers help prevent this.
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Dangerous Weather Conditions
When the weather gets really bad, it can be dangerous. Sometimes strong winds can even cause trees to fall. If it's very cold, people can get frostbite, which damages their skin.
The biggest worry is something called hypothermia. This happens when a person's body temperature drops too low. It can be very serious and even deadly. When it's cold and windy, the wind chill makes it feel even colder, increasing the risk.
Who Needs Warming Centers?
Some people are more likely to get sick in bad weather. This includes people who are older, those with certain health issues, or people who are homeless. For these individuals, bad weather can quickly become very dangerous.
Scientists study these "risk factors" to understand who is most vulnerable. They use this information to create a "vulnerability index" which helps decide when and where to open warming centers.
Why Warming Centers Are Important
Warming centers are mostly for people who are homeless and do not stay in regular homeless shelters. They are also set up during big storms like blizzards or when the power goes out. Sometimes, they open if roads are blocked by landslides or avalanches.
In some special cases, warming centers are even created to protect endangered wild animals during very cold weather. Animals like turtles, which are cold-blooded, are especially at risk. Some centers also allow pets, but policies can vary.
Where to Find Warming Centers
Existing Shelters
Sometimes, warming centers are set up inside existing homeless shelters. However, there are rules about how many people can be in a building at once, often due to fire safety rules. Also, agreements with neighbors might limit the number of people to avoid parking or overcrowding problems.
Because of these limits, new places are often needed for warming centers.
Other Locations
Many warming centers are set up in places like churches and community centers. Sometimes, they use larger buildings such as National Guard armories, which are military buildings.
How Warming Centers Open
Deciding to Open
Warming centers usually open for just a few days at a time, depending on the local weather. Some centers, like those in Chicago, open every year from December 1st to March 1st, and any other time the temperature drops below freezing.
Other cities, like Portland, Oregon, use a more detailed plan. They look at things like whether it's wet or dry, the lowest temperature expected at night, the weather trend for the next three days, wind, and if snow might fall.
Each warming center has its own way of deciding when to open, as weather conditions are different everywhere. The American Red Cross often helps with these plans. They use an "alert status" system to tell staff when to get ready, from "OUTLOOK" (normal weather) to "ACTIVATE" (time to open).
How Warming Centers Are Run
Helping People Find Centers
Once a warming center is ready, it's important to let people know about it. Some people who need help might not want to talk to official groups. Others might already be connected to helping services.
In the USA, the government agency called Housing and Urban Development requires a count of homeless people every two years. Groups like w:Common Ground use these counts to find people who need help. The hope is that this work will make it easier for people to learn about warming centers.
Centers often work with programs like 211, which is a phone number people can call for help. Newspapers can share general information like contact numbers and locations.
For transportation, some centers offer free rides. In bad weather, people leaving jail might also get rides to a center. During blizzards, even snowmobilers have helped transport people.
Inside a Warming Center
When a warming center is open, it usually offers basic services. This might include a cot to sleep on and a warm bowl of soup. They are usually run by experienced staff members. This is because staff need to be able to help people with different needs or behaviors.
Some people who use warming centers might just be traveling and get caught in bad weather. Others might not stay in regular shelters because they don't like the rules or have disagreements with staff. Experienced staff can help everyone feel safe and welcome.
History and Current Role
Warming centers sometimes start because someone has died from the cold, or many people are at risk. They seem to have existed as far back as 1945, after World War II. In Berlin, Germany, during the airlift, plans were made for public "warming centers" to provide warmth, clothing, and blankets.
Today, warming centers are becoming more common in the U.S. They are seen as a way to help homeless people who usually stay outdoors, especially during very cold or rainy times.
However, there might not always be enough room for everyone who needs help. As one writer, Naomi Spencer, explained, warming centers are often a "last resort" for homeless people to find relief from the cold. This is especially true for those with mental illness or other challenges who might not meet the rules of some regular shelters or charities.
Some people simply find regular shelters too strict, feeling they are too much like a jail. A former resident of a homeless camp, named Crow, said that "some guys would sooner do what they want and not be told what to do."
Tom Brown (naturalist)'s Field Guide to City and Suburban Survival talks about shelters and heating. He even suggests ways to create a personal warming spot using ATM access cards. His ideas have been shared by community activists, including tips for building a simple stove and working together on cultural projects.
Other Pages
- Tom Brown (naturalist) is the author of Tom Brown's Field Guide to City and Suburban Survival.
- Natural disaster
- Refugee
- Poverty
- Discrimination
Images for kids
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Site of one of the warming centers
