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With the coldest temperatures in years headed our way, the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross is prepared to open emergency warming centers for the homeless tonight. These safe havens will protect this vulnerable population from hypothermia, frostbite and, in some cases, even death.
Three centers are expected to open tonight:
- Estate Hotel, 225 NW Couch – 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Cavalry Christian Ministries, 126 NE Alberta – 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Foursquare Church, 1303 SE Ankeny – 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
VOLUNTEEERS
While the City of Portland has only asked the Red Cross to open warming centers tonight, with the current weather outlook, it is likely that the centers may need to be open for several days. For this reason, volunteer assistance is vital. Those interested in staffing the Red Cross emergency warming centers should contact Mike Fish at 503-528-5699 or fishm@redcross-pdx.org.
With the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday upon us, volunteering is a great way to make it a day on, not a day off.
WHAT MAKES A WARMING CENTER DIFFERENT
Red Cross emergency warming centers differ from other homeless shelters in several ways:
- Guests do not have to register to enter
- Singles, couples and families are all welcome
- Guests can come and go as they please throughout the night
- Pets are welcome and kennels and dog food are provided
As a center fills, the Red Cross offers transportation to one of the other two locations. Guests will be provided with a bus ticket to be able to return in the morning.
While the emergency warming centers will provide respite from the cold, a place to sleep, hot coffee and soup, they differ from traditional Red Cross shelters in that clothing and financial support are not available. Warming centers also differ in that they allow pets, which is typically not the practice in Red Cross shelters.
The Red Cross anticipates opening warming centers anywhere from ten to 20 times each winter and serving anywhere from 150 to 200 people each night that the centers are open. When the centers last opened on Thursday, January 17, the three sites were able to accommodate 126 total guests.
WARMING CENTER ACTIVATION REQUIREMENTS
The City of Portland makes the decision to activate the Oregon Trail Chapter when they believe conditions require warming center openings. These circumstances include:
Under DRY conditions
- 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including consideration of the wind chill factor
Under WET conditions
- 35 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including consideration of the wind chill factor AND
- Any snow/freezing rain/sleet OR
- 1" or more of rain within 12 hours
Other combinations of weather conditions that place homeless persons at risk of loss of life or serious negative health consequences.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 40 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org. |
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