Warming Shelters In Detroit, Highland Park, Royal Oak, And Ferndale
DETROIT (WWJ) - One more day for this wind chill advisory in metro Detroit with frigid temperatures and wind chill factors well below zero.
The city of Detroit has warming centers for the homeless for the overnight hours and respite centers in the daytime.
Charlie Beckham, group executive for Detroit Neighborhoods tells WWJ's Beth Fisher that Operation Get Down and Cass Community Social Services are doing some outreach for those that are homeless and those that are in need of some warmer than what they have.
"It's difficult, you know, DPD does a lot of that. DPD, on occasion, transports people to the warming centers and they don't stay. Some of them don't want to go. It's, it's a huge social problem that I don't know if there's an immediate and short-term answer to it. You can't force people to go, but you can ask them to go and there are facilities for them to go to," he said.
Warming and respite centers in Detroit, Royal Oak and Ferndale:
CITY OF DETROIT WARMING CENTERS:
Centers to Have Extended Hours when Temperatures Drop
The City has contracted with the Cass Community Social Services and Operation Get Down to operate two warming centers to offer Detroit residents a break from the winter cold. The warming centers will provide temporary relief to persons who are homeless and/or do not utilize existing homeless shelters available within the city limits.
Cass Community Social Services is located at 3901 Cass Avenue, north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The center capacity is approximately 50 beds, available for women and children only.
The center will be open from 4 p.m. – 8 a.m. every night, seven days a week. Client services will be provided from now through March 2014.
Operation Get Down is located at 6821 Medbury Street, between I-94 service drive and E. Grand Boulevard.
This facility has a capacity of approximately 200 beds and serves women, men and children.
Operation Get Down is open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The center will be open for client services through March 2014.
If the forecast calls for low temperatures of 10 degrees or lower, services at Cass Community Social Services and Operation Get Down will be extended until noon. Operation Get Down's hours may be extended as long as temperatures remain 10 degrees or below.
Upon entering the warming center, clients are expected to complete the intake process for admission. All individuals are supervised at all times to ensure the safety of all parties. They are also provided with two hot meals, counseling, showering and sleeping accommodations.
In the event that a client needs medical attention, an on-call nurse may be contacted for minor medical needs.
However, if warranted, EMS is called and the client is transported to a medical facility. Clients are also encouraged to take advantage of other support services, such as referrals, housing assistance, health screening, and other related services.
Transportation to Cass Community Social Services is available. Transportation to Operation Get Down is available from Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO). All individuals seeking warming center assistance can contact the providers directly at the numbers below:
For more information, contact Cass Community Social Services at (313) 833-7730 or Operation Get Down at (313) 925-4138.
DETROIT RESPITE CENTERS:
Joesph Walker Williams Recreation Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit 48206
Farwell Recreation Center, 2781 Outer Drive, Detroit 48234
Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, Detroit 48214
HIGHLAND PARK
Highland Park Police Station - 24 Hours, 14112 Woodward Ave., Highland Park 48203
Highland Park Fire Station - 24 Hours, 25 Gerald St., Highland Park 48203
The Ernest T. Ford Recreation Center 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., 10 Pitkin, Highland Park 48203
Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Building (City Hall) 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., 12050 Woodward Ave., Highland Park 48203
The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, 13130 Woodward Ave., Highland Park, MI 48203
Royal Oak has three warming centers:
The Senior Community Center, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
The Royal Oak Public Library (closed on Sunday)
Starr Presbyterian Church on 13 Mile Road
In Ferndale, the Renaissance Vineyard Church, with day and evening hours.
[For more, visit our WEATHER PAGE].