Hypothermia Prevention Program Begins In Fairfax County For 2021-2022 Winter

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County's Hypothermia Prevention Program begins Wednesday to help homeless residents through the 2021-2022 winter season.

The program, which runs from Dec. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 provides warm shelter, food and other services to adults in immediate need of shelter. Fairfax County has run the program since 2005 with the intent of preventing death and serious injury to homeless residents during the colder months.

Shelter is provided through the county's existing shelters as well as auxiliary programs in partnership with various faith communities. The program typically serves around 1,000 people over each season. In the last season, the program served an average 215 guests per night.

Supportive services are also provided to help guests access necessities such as clothing, employment, housing and more. Locations will be run in coordination with the Fairfax County Health Department to ensure COVID-19 prevention measures are followed.

While the program serves adults, families with minor children can contact the county's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for support and service referrals. After business hours, families can visit or contact these locations: Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter (12970 Katherine Hanley Court, Fairfax; 571-522-6800); Embry Rucker Community Shelter (11975 Bowman Town Drive, Reston; 703-437-1975); Patrick Henry Family Shelter (3080 Patrick Henry Drive, Falls Church; 703-536-2155) or Next Steps Family Program (various Fairfax County locations; 703-360-1727).

Residents can call for help if they see someone in need who may be at risk of hypothermia. Warning signs of hypothermia can include confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness and stiff muscles. If you see an unsheltered person who may be at risk of hypothermia, call the non-emergency police phone number at 703-691-2131, and a police officer will do a welfare check. If a person appears to be in distress, call 911.

Locations for the 2021-2022 Hypothermia Prevention Program are:

Eleanor Kennedy Shelter, 9155 Richmond Highway, Alexandria

• Open 24/7, operated by New Hope Housing
• Phone: 703-799-0200

Rising Hope United Methodist Church, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria

• Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., operated by New Hope Housing with Ventures in Community Hypothermia Outreach Program

Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing, 5914 Seminary Road, Falls Church

• Open 24/7, operated by New Hope Housing
• Phone: 703-820-7621

Rotating faith community sites (for locations, contact the Bailey’s Shelter at 703-820-7621)

• Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Transportation options are available

Friends of Falls Church Winter Shelter (by referral only)

Hours: 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Embry Rucker Community Shelter, 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston

• Open 24/7, operated by Cornerstones
• Phone: 703-437-1975

North County Human Services Center, Reston Drop-In Entrance, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston

Hours: 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., operated by: Cornerstones

Phone: 703-326-6565 (If you have trouble reaching on-site staff, contact the Embry Rucker Shelter)

Rotating faith community sites, hosting location 8508 Leesburg Pike, Tysons (for locations, call 703-352-5090 (dial extension 303 for Spanish) or visit the Facets website)

Hours: 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. at rotating sites; 24/7 at Tysons site, operated by Facets