ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As the cold stretch looks to press forward in the week, Orange, Osceola, Flagler and Seminole counties have extended their hours of operations for several warming centers.
What You Need To Know
Warming centers are extending hours of operation this week as the cold stretch hangs on
Orange, Osceola, Flagler, Volusia and Seminole counties are offering extended access to several overnight warming centers. Seminole County will also have daytime warming centers available throughout the week
It is protocol for most municipalities to provide warming centers when temperatures drop below 40 degrees for four or more consecutive hours
Transportation will be provided in both Orange and Osceola counties through LYNX
The Sheltering Tree will open its cold-weather shelter Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Rock Transformation Center for anyone who needs a safe and warm place to stay. The Rock Transformation Center is located at 2200 N. State St. It will open at 5 p.m. each night and close at 8 a.m. the following day.
The shelter will be closed Wednesday.
McDonald’s at Old Kings Road South and State Road 100 at the dirt road on the east side, 4 p.m.
Circle K at Kingswood and Old Kings Road, 4:40 p.m.
Dollar Tree behind Carrabba’s in the Dollar Tree parking lot, 4:50 p.m.
Palm Coast Main Branch Library, northwest corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway, 4:55 p.m.
Bunnell Free Clinic, 703 Moody Blvd., 5 p.m.
Bridges United Methodist Church in Bunnell, 205 N. Pine St., 5 p.m. (listed as the same pickup time because of the close proximity)
Two overnight warming centers will be open Tuesday and Thursday night this week beginning at 5 p.m. Guests looking for somewhere warm to sleep can go to the Barnett Park location at at 4801 W. Colonial Dr. in Orlando or Goldenrod Community Center at 4863 N. Goldenrod Road in Winter Park. Barnett Park will be open until 10 a.m. Wednesday morning and 9 a.m. Friday morning.
Both locations are being operated by the county with transportation services provided free of charge through LYNX. A transportation hub also is located at the Bithlo Community center, where guests can be taken to the Goldenrod community center location. LYNX bus pickups will occur on the following dates:
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Secured pets are welcome on LYNX buses and at the warming centers. Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and are responsible for bringing pet food and supplies.
According to the Homeless Services Network website, Osceola County will have three overnight warming centers available Tuesday night. Intake will begin about 6 p.m. and close Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. Those locations include:
First United Methodist Church, 1000 Ohio Ave., in St. Cloud
Kissimmee First Church of Nazarene, 1550 Mill Slough Road, Kissimmee
Poinciana Christian Church, , 3181 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee
Rescue Outreach Mission at 1701 Historic Goldsboro Blvd., in Sanford is available for overnight shelter as long as capacity allows. If additional space is needed, those individuals will be taken to a local church for the night.
During the day, all Seminole County library branches are open for daytime warming centers. Those time frames vary.
Multiple community organizations in Volusia County will open cold-weather shelters on Tuesday night, Feb. 3. to indivduals without adequate heating or housing. Shelters are not open on Friday night.
The Bridge, operated by the Neighborhood Center at 421 S. Palmetto Ave. in DeLand, will provide overnight cold-weather sheltering starting at 6:30 p.m. both nights and continuing until about 8 a.m. the following morning. Breakfast will be provided before the shelter closes. For more information about services at The Bridge, contact the Neighborhood Center at 386-734-8120, ext. 601.
On the east side of the county, cold-weather sheltering will be coordinated through Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM) in partnership with local churches and nonprofit organizations. While HUM does not operate its own cold-weather shelter, it works with multiple groups to ensure individuals have access to safe, warm places to stay. Those needing shelter or transportation to one are encouraged to contact HUM at 386-317-5886 as soon as possible. When available, transportation assistance may be provided through Votran in coordination with community partners.
In addition to overnight sheltering provided by community organizations, Volusia County is opening several regional library branches early, beginning at 8 a.m., to provide residents with a warm, indoor public space during cold-weather mornings through Tuesday, Feb. 3. Early openings are taking place at the DeLand Regional Library, Daytona Beach Regional Library, and New Smyrna Beach Regional Library. Residents do not need to be Volusia County Library cardholders to enter, and the libraries are not operating as shelters but are available as warm, indoor public spaces during the morning hours.