Official ‘Overnight Warming Centers’ To Open In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — The Hamden Legislative Council recently approved an agreement between the town of Hamden and Columbus House, Inc. to establish seasonal “overnight warming centers” in Hamden. The warming center proposal was passed unanimously by the Hamden Legislative Council, with the expressed interest of doing more to assist people experiencing homelessness in Hamden, according to Mayor Curt Balzano Leng.

Hamden Warming Centers will now operate from Jan. 7, 2019 through Jan. 31, 2019 at Grace & St. Peters Episcopal Church (2927 Dixwell Ave., Hamden) and from Feb. 1, 2019 through Feb. 28, 2019 at Hamden Plains United Methodist Church (15 Church St., Hamden). Each location will have two trained Columbus House staff who will monitor overnight shifts from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week.

“I am very pleased that we are taking action to help Hamden’s homeless population during the coldest months of the year,” Hamden Community Development Manager Adam Sendroff said in a press release. “Our warming center will help the most vulnerable people in Hamden stay safe and get connected to the services they need. I’m grateful to our wonderful partners for this project, Columbus House, Grace & St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and Hamden Plains United Methodist Church.”

These locations are not “shelters,” as no beds will be provided, officials said. The locations will offer “clean, safe, indoor overnight services to protect those in-need from harsh weather conditions, and who would likely otherwise spend their nights outdoors,” according to the release. Hamden Police will also provide a “walk-through” of each location on a nightly basis.

“As a resident of Hamden, I am proud of our town for expressing its support for the warming center, which will serve people who are the most vulnerable among us,” Alison Cunningham, CEO of Columbus House, Inc., said. “The warming center will provide a warm, safe place for people to stay through the harshest winter months. Columbus House on-site staff will provide overnight staffing and referrals to additional services to help people resolve their homelessness.”

Leng said he was “extremely grateful for the efforts of our Community Development Department and Columbus House Inc., as well as our local churches. To officially establish this vital community service in Hamden is a great step forward in helping our residents most in need. A warm place on a cold, exhausting night can make all the difference in the world."

Residents wishing to contribute to the warming centers may do so by donating items such as non-perishable, pre-wrapped snack food items like protein bars, cookies, chips, and other snacks. Fruits such as apples, bananas, clementines, etc. are also requested, in addition to beverages including tea bags, coffee, instant hot-cocoa, sugar, non-dairy creamers, and bottled water. Columbus House respectfully requests that other items such as prepared foods and party leftovers be donated to other charities and community service outlets as applicable.

Donations of new socks, new underwear, gloves and hats are also welcome.

Donations may be dropped off at the Keefe Community Center (11 Pine Street, Hamden) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Donation receipts will be available.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to support the warming center or to help fund Columbus House’s programs designed to move people out of homelessness and into housing, make checks payable to Columbus House and drop off at the Keefe Community Center or mail to: Columbus House, PO Box 7093, New Haven, CT 06519, or online at www.columbushouse.org.

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