After the closure of Springfield’s Executive Inn homeless shelter and the reduction of hours at Sheltered Inc.’s men’s shelter, there are fewer options in the city than previously.
Springfield’s emergency warming shelter opens at the Salvation Army (15 S. Plum St.) when temperatures hit single digits, but there are other options during the day and overnight when temperatures drop but not to that degree.
A new warming center at the Victory Faith Center, run entirely by volunteers, opened last month at 424 S. Fountain Ave. in response to a significant need. The shelter offers a warm place to sleep and hot meals 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. But organizers said recently they are in significant need of volunteers.
As of early Monday afternoon, Clark County was under a Level 2 snow emergency, which means that only drivers who find it necessary should be out be on the roads. Individuals should contact employers to see if they should go to work in person or not.
Warming centers
According to the Clark County Emergency Management Agency, warming centers open during the day at all temperatures include:
• Springfield Warming Shelter, 424 S. Fountain Avenue (Victory Faith Center): 24/7; follow the shelter on Facebook for updated information.
• New Carlisle Library, 111 E. Lake Ave.: Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• New Carlisle Church of the Brethren, 219 N. Main St.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; call to make sure they’re open.
• Salvation Army, 15 S. Plum St.: varying hours; call to ensure they’re open.
• Library (main), 201 S. Fountain Ave.: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
• Park Branch library, 1119 Bechtle Ave.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Southgate Branch library: 1863 S. Limestone St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Houston Branch library, 5 W. Jamestown St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Enon Branch library, 209 E. Main St.: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other shelters
Sheltered Inc. also operates two shelters, one for women and families at 501 W. High St. and one for men at 440 W. High St. The men’s shelter operates 12 hours daily and the women’s and families’ shelter 24 hours.
Those wanting to stay at a Sheltered Inc. facility can contact its intake office at 937-521-1071.
About the Author
