FORT WORTH, Texas — With temperatures expected to drop below freezing in the coming days, plans are underway to provide warming shelters across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Here are the shelters and warming centers planned in Dallas County:
- The Carr P. Collins Social Service Center
- Garland Corps Community Center
- Fair Park
- Oak Lawn United Methodist Church
- Austin Street Shelter II (2929 Hickory Street)
- Additional inclement weather updates will be posted at dallashomelesssolutions.com. Those interested in volunteering to help with the efforts in Dallas are asked to sign up here.
In Collin County:
- The Plano Corps Community Center
- McKinney Corps Community Center
In Tarrant County:
- Arlington Corps Community Center
- Presbyterian Night Shelter
- United Gospel Mission
- Salvation Army
- Grand Prairie Public Safety Building
In Denton County:
- Lewisville Public Library
- The Vista (Formerly Music City Mall)
- The Salvation Army Lewisville
- Denton Community Shelter operated by Our Daily Bread
- Salvation Army Denton
- Civic Center
- Senior Center
- Denia Rec. Center
- MLK Jr. Rec. Center
- North Lakes Rec. Center
- Emily Fowler Library
- North Branch Library
- South Branch Library
- Central Fire Station
While each shelter follows guidelines by the city and the county, exact protocols may vary depending on location.
North Texas Area Command has established a threshold for activating overnight warming shelters, which relies on a forecast of 36 degrees or below, usually for more than two consecutive days, according to the Salvation Army of North Texas.
The Salvation Army’s overnight warming shelters offer refuge from the cold and assistance to individuals and families, as well as food and drink, and clean-up kits.
As temperatures drop, we recognize the critical need for our services, particularly for our most vulnerable neighbors facing real, life-threatening challenges,” said Major Paul McFarland, area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas. “Because The Salvation Army is embedded in the communities where it serves, teams are already on the ground and can respond immediately when a disaster strikes or the weather suddenly turns."
The Salvation Army provides year-round support to all those facing poverty, addiction, and homelessness across Dallas, Rockwall, Tarrant and Ellis, and Denton and Collin counties. To donate to The Salvation Army’s preparation and relief efforts or find information on overnight warming shelters, visit SalvationArmyNorthTexas.org.
In Fort Worth, Gary Wilkerson at WhenWeLove says he needs as many homeless people as possible in Fort Worth to learn about the winter blast coming and to know shelter is available.
"Our message currently is to seek shelter as soon as you can," Wilkerson said. "We have frigid temperatures come in. It's going to be dangerously cold. So, the best thing that people can do is try and come to the local shelters and get a bed, get a cot. But if they cannot get into those shelters, then we want them to come to our building and we will check them into the emergency overflow shelter."
On Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth, there are huge electronic billboard signs flashing messages about the winter weather that's on the way.
Wilkerson and his team communicate with other shelters by radio to learn about capacity, food and water needs, emergencies, and other important details during winter weather. They are prepping for the cold weather by stocking up on things like water, food, and even hot drinks to help keep people warm.
They are also prepared to pass out winter weather gear like coats, hats, and gloves.
The folks at WhenWeLove in Fort Worth also have a supply of blankets to hand out to homeless people. They are working closely with two major homeless shelters prepared to house hundreds of people.
Wilkerson fears the worst, especially since homelessness is up 30% among families who can find themselves in danger. He also applauds city leaders for their efforts when it comes to helping homeless people.
"The city has worked with Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, and WhenWeLove and we've been able to get these digital LED road signs out that give people the information they need to know so that they can get to safe shelter," Wilkerson said. "It's an extremely dangerous situation. And here in Texas, we don't see it a lot. But when we do see it, it becomes an even bigger emergency, because a lot of the time, the homeless population is not prepared for those extremely cold temperatures. They don't get to watch the news like the rest of us. They don't get to see weather forecasts so it can come up on them and sneak up on them in a minute."
Shelter workers will go out over the weekend to pass out winter gear and blankets. That's when they will also invite them to come inside when the temperatures become too dangerous to stay outside.
Wilkerson said it can be hard sometimes trying to convince people used to living on the street that it's safer for them to be inside when the weather is extremely cold. Even after the upcoming winter blast, Wilkerson will start working on the next possible event where people will need help. That's where donations make a huge impact on what they can do for the city's homeless population.
"Obviously, warm weather items, hand warmers, gloves, toboggans, coats, heavy blankets, those are all needed items. Especially just before this cold weather hits," Wilkerson said. "Everybody that's out on the street is somebody's son, daughter, mother, sister, uncle, aunt. They have family somewhere that may or may not know where they're at. And based on mental illness and addiction and different socio-economic issues, they're on the streets and the rest of us are housed. There really is no difference between somebody that's living on the streets and you and I, other than a circumstance."