Warmth, Friends and Fellowship at Chicago Warming Centers

A man wearing a faded denim jacket over a dark hooded sweatshirt, jeans and work boots slowly makes his way into a storefront on Diversey Avenue. Inside the walls are bare with the exception of the words "New Community" painted diagonally in maroon across one of them. The air is filled with the sound of friendly conversation occasionally punctuated bursts of laughter. Men mill around the room or sit watching television while eating bowls of soup at New Community Warming Center, a faith based warming center in Logan Square, where they can take refuge from the cold winter temperatures.

"It's basically a ministry with a kitchen that operates four or five hours a day, four days a week. We make referrals to social services and are a place where people can get a good meal and fellowship," says Libby Anthrayose, director of New Community Warming Center.
Word about the warming center is spreading through other social services, shelters, food pantries and by word of mouth. On a cold day the center can see up to 45 people but that number can drop to as few as 15 when the weather is not as harsh. New Community Warming Center serves a mostly male clientele not all of whom are homeless.

"Some are on the fringes and are just looking for another start in life. We had one person who had just put a deposit on an apartment and he was using the ministry just to get another start," Anthrayose says.
The kitchen of he warming center is operated largely by volunteers and buzzes with activity in preparation for the afternoon rush. "Our volunteers are integral because they form a relationship with people. It's about getting to know them and us getting to know each other," Anthrayose says.

"'I've done it all. Been dead, been shot," says Flaco, a 43 year-old man who uses the warming center at New Community. After the murder of his brother 20 years ago he joined a gang and has been in and out of prison as well as homeless. Three years ago he heard about New Community from a former gang member and his life began to change for the better. He has a place to stay and says that without New Community he would be on the streets selling drugs.
"They helped me out and opened my eyes. It's a blessing," he says. "They ask me why I volunteer and why I do stuff
Subzero temperatures and fierce winds also drive the homeless and those with little or no heat into warming centers operated by the City of Chicago. The public has access to six warming centers open from 9a.m. to 5p.m. or later as needed. One center, located at 10 S. Kedzie, is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Public libraries, police stations and other city operated locations also function as warming centers on very cold days.

The Chicago Department of Human Services (CDHS) maintains a standby list of community organizations so that hundreds of daytime facilities can be made available for the purpose of providing two or three hours of shelter in the event of extreme cold.

Those in need of a warm place to stay for a few hours are urged to dial 311. "They can call and give their address and they will be given information about the nearest facility. If they need transportation someone can come and get them," says Lisa Elkuss, Public Information Officer for CDHS.

At the CDHS office located at 4740 N. Sheridan, the 22 seat waiting area is used to accommodate CDHS clients seeking city services and warming center patrons. Although warming centers do not provide warm meals and clothing they do serve as a place of rest for the weary, a means of escaping the numbing cold and to connect to other city services ranging from housing to employment to healthcare.

"It is a no frills situation. All it is meant to be is a place to get refuge. That's the whole concept. They can come in to get warm and if they are in need of human services they can get them at the CDHS office," Elkuss said.

*Printed in StreetWise, Dec. 6, 2006