From Oct. 15 to April 30, three warming centers in Provo will open every night from 9 p.m.-8 a.m.
These warming centers aim to help individuals who are homeless stay warm and receive resources during the evenings.
According to the warming center’s signup website, the facility is looking for volunteers to assist warming center guests under the supervision of trained social workers and staff.
Commissioner Brandon Gordon, Winter Response Task Force chair, encouraged people to participate.
“We have a solid, compassionate, and comprehensive plan to serve our unsheltered population on winter nights, but we desperately need volunteers,” Commissioner Gordon said. “I know there are many people who want to pitch in. I urge those kind-hearted people, willing to serve to contact us so we can have staff organized through the winter.”
The Mountainland Continuum of Care, a coalition of agencies in Utah committed to ending homelessness in the community, said on their website that volunteers will be “helping set up and clean up, safety and security, and fellowshipping under the board of trained social workers and staff.”
Volunteers are also required to complete trainings, prior to their first shift. Training sessions will be sent via email after signing up.
“I can’t sugar-coat the reality: We desperately need people to step up to help,” Karen McCandless, Community Action executive director, said. “Spread the word to your families, neighbors, co-workers, church members, and anyone else to join us. Homelessness is a community issue, and we can’t ignore it.”
Shifts available for volunteers are from 8:30 p.m.- 1 a.m., 12:30 a.m.-5 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.-8 a.m. and will be available nightly until April 30.
Every couple of days the center rotates between locations. Listed below are the locations for the warming centers in Provo on the corresponding days.
- Mondays - The Genesis Project, 875 S 170 E, Provo, UT 84606
- Tuesdays- The Genesis Project
- Wednesdays - Utah County Public Works Red Warehouse, 2855 South State Street Provo, Utah 84606
- Thursdays - Provo Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 255 S 700 E, Provo, UT 84606
- Fridays - Utah County Public Works Red Warehouse
- Saturdays - Utah County Public Works Red Warehouse
- Sundays - Utah County Public Works Red Warehouse
Fred Sheehan, a former member of the Winter Response Task Force said in an August press release that he, too, was homeless.
“It wasn’t that long ago I was homeless right here too. I know what it’s like for them,” Sheehan said. “But I can tell them that Utah County has great services. Once I got connected with them, things got better and better. I got housing. I got help. And now it’s my job to help others get the exact same kind of help.”
Although not everyone can volunteer, the center also accepts a wide variety of donations, according to the Mountainland Continuum of Care’s website. Items able to be donated include:
- Blankets
- New gloves for men
- New gloves for women
- Hand warmers
- Foot warmers
- Cup of Noodles
- Macaroni and cheese cups
- Fruit snacks (packaged)
- Granola bars
- Sweet and salty packs
- Sandwich crackers/cookies (packaged)
- Candy/candy bars (must be wrapped)
- Bottled water
Donations can be dropped off to Community Action Services Food Bank at 815 S Freedom Blvd, Provo, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Community Action Services requested donors to let the staff know the donations are for the warming center.
For more information on donations, their website can be found here and those interested in volunteering for the warming center can sign up here.