Warming Centers Around the State
In various parts of the country, especially during periods of extreme cold, warming centers are set up to provide temporary relief to residents. These centers offer a place where people can warm up, eat a meal, and get some rest. Here’s a glimpse into the efforts being made across different states:
Gwinnett County, Georgia
In Gwinnett County, the community has taken proactive measures to ensure that everyone stays warm during frigid temperatures. Gwinnett County opens warming stations for residents who need temporary overnight relief when temperatures drop below 35 degrees. These stations are strategically located across the county, making it accessible for residents to seek warmth and other essential services.
– Locations:
– Buford:
– Buford Senior Center, 2755 Sawnee Avenue
– Bus routes 101 I-985, stop 19 and 50, stop 5047
– Duluth:
– Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road
– Bus routes 10B, stops 542 and 108
– Norcross:
– Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard
– Bus routes 35, stops 407 and 906
– Snellville:
– Centerville Senior Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road
– Bus routes 70, stops 7010 and 7023
– Lawrenceville:
– Lawrenceville Senior Center, 225 Benson Street
– Bus routes 40, stops 836 and 337
Residents can visit these centers from 6:00PM until 7:00AM. For more information, residents can call 770.822.8850 or email [email protected][1].
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County in New York also recognizes the importance of keeping people safe and warm during the winter months. Sullivan County will be opening its two warming centers this week in Liberty and Monticello. The United Methodist Church at 170 North Main Street in Liberty will open on Friday, November 24, while St. John’s Episcopal Church at 15 St. John Street in Monticello will open a day earlier on November 22.
These facilities will be available every night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. until Saturday, April 15, 2024. The warming centers not only provide a place to sleep but also offer medical care and other social services to those in need. This initiative is particularly crucial given the recent increase in evictions and the shortage of affordable housing in the region[3].
Cook County, Illinois
In Cook County, Illinois, the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security ensures that residents have access to warm places during extreme cold periods. Cook County lists warming centers across the county that remain open during periods of unsafe temperatures.
Residents are advised to keep the following tips in mind: never use your oven for heat, avoid bringing charcoal or gas grills indoors due to carbon monoxide hazards, ensure all portable heaters are unplugged when not in use, and use electric space heaters with caution to avoid any flammable materials. They can check the updated list of warming centers on the County’s Emergency Management website[5].
