Hamden – Mayor Curt Balzano Leng is pleased to announce that the Town of Hamden, in partnership with Columbus House, Inc., has opened an overnight winter warming center for the third year in a row for those experiencing homelessness in our community.
The Hamden Warming Center will operate from January 4, 2021 through February 28, 2021 at Breakthrough Church (481 Shelton Ave., Hamden, CT- entrance in rear at Butler Street). The Warming Center will be operated by trained Columbus House staff who will monitor overnight shifts from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., 7 days a week. The warming center is not a “shelter”, as no beds will be provided. It will offer a clean, safe, indoor space to protect those who would likely otherwise spend their nights outdoors from harsh weather conditions. COVID-19 protocols will include temperature checks, social distancing, and mask wearing. Hamden Police will provide walk-throughs on a nightly basis.
Mayor Leng commented, “I am proud to report that the Town will again be offering an overnight Warming Center. For the past two years we were able to have a regular nightly warming center in our community and it proved helpful to so many people in need. Not only did the efforts provide safety and warmth, but also lead to other services and even to permanent housing for some clients. We prioritized the warming center again for this year knowing that this is what local government is all about - helping people.”
Adam Sendroff, Community Development Manager, remarked, “I am pleased that we are taking action again in 2021 to help Hamden’s homeless population during the coldest months of the year. 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 partners, Columbus House, Inc. and Breakthrough Church.”
Margaret Middleton, CEO of Columbus House, also commented, “We are very pleased to be embarking on year three of our collaboration with the Town of Hamden and church partners to provide the Warming Center, which will serve people who are the most vulnerable among us. 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.”
Organizations or agencies that are interested in providing dinners and breakfasts are encouraged to contact Columbus House at 203-401-4400 ext. 404 or email sdimario@columbushouse.org.
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, clementine, 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, hats, umbrellas, and rain ponchos are also welcome.
Donations may be dropped off at the Keefe Community Center (11 Pine Street, Hamden) between the hours of 8:30 and 4:30. 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, please 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.
For further information, please contact Deputy Chief of Staff, Patrick J. Donnelly, at 203-287-7009 or
pdonnelly@hamden.com.
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