Weather shelter a warm respite when cold hits

Each winter since 2019, the Wooster Homelessness Task Force has run a Severe Weather Shelter in the gym and kitchen of the Wooster Salvation Army, 437 S. Market St.

The shelter operates when the temperature is or feels like freezing (32 F) and opened Dec. 1 with a closing date of March 31. It provides a meal and a warm place to sleep for anyone without shelter or who does not have adequate heat. Paid contractors staff the facility overnight.

The shelter began as the collaborative effort of several local agencies, all of whom were working on homelessness in the community. These agencies include the Wooster Homelessness Task Force, the Wooster Housing Coalition, United Way of Wayne and Holmes County, local churches, and community volunteers.

When the shelter first opened in 2019, the nights it was open were more limited due to funding issues. That first year the shelter was open 13 nights and served approximately nine guests an evening. Over time as funding has increased, the shelter has been able to be open more nights and has served an increasing number of people.

Last year they were open 76 nights and served 17 guests each evening, resulting in 111 guests served.

The facility opens at 6 p.m. on the evenings it is open and serves a hot meal donated by volunteers from 11 local churches and two restaurants.

Wyn Jones, a longtime volunteer with the shelter, said starting this year, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization called Homeward Bound has been formed to operate the shelter.

“For the 2023-24 season, we have hired a full-time manager, Cynthia Bonidie, to run the shelter,” Jones said. “In addition to paid contractors who monitor the shelter overnight, we also have numerous volunteers who assist at the shelter.”

In addition to the hot meal, guests are offered toiletries and other clothing items that are put together by donation including socks, scarves, hats/gloves, winter coats, sleeping bags, hand warmers, men’s underwear and backpacks. The shelter is always collecting these items, which can be dropped off at Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E. North St., Wooster, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Right now there is a need for backpacks.

The profile of guests using the Severe Weather Shelter is wide-ranging and includes people fleeing domestic violence, people working and living out of their cars due to lack of affordable housing, people facing medical challenges and are released by the hospital, and people who are chronically mentally ill and/or struggling with addiction.

“For the most part, the guests are very quiet, and it is an overall calm atmosphere,” Jones said. “There is the occasional instance where we have asked someone to leave, but there has been no violence or other problems.

“Many times guests will play cards together or board games. At the beginning of the season, guests don’t know each other yet, but as the season progresses, a sense of community is formed.”

Not only has the shelter provided warmth for guests, but also volunteers and guests alike have learned the warmth caring can provide. Those interested in helping out with the Severe Weather Shelter can find more information at the Facebook page for the Wooster Homelessness Task Force.