SCRANTON \u2013 The City of Scranton and Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton formally announced on Nov. 13 that CSS will staff and operate the city\u2019s Code Blue shelter at the Weston Field House for the 2025-2026 winter season.<\/p>\n
The shelter, located at 982 Providence Road, opens on nights when the temperatures are expected to fall below 20 degrees or when winter conditions create dangerous windchills. Last winter, Scranton issued approximately 70 Code Blue alerts, with an average of about 15 individuals seeking shelter at Weston Field each night.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Code-Blue-Press-Conference-300x225.jpg\")
Joe Mahoney, CEO of Catholic Social Services, center, speaks during a press conference on Nov. 13, announcing his agency will operate the City of Scranton\u2019s Code Blue shelter this fall and winter at Weston Field House. (Photo\/Eric Deabill)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud to continue providing a Code Blue shelter here at Weston Field,\u201d Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. \u201cThe City and each of the partner organizations in our Unsheltered Task Force, which includes Catholic Social Services, remain committed to addressing the changing needs of those without stable housing in Scranton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Catholic School Services has served individuals experiencing homelessness in Scranton for more than three decades through Saint Anthony\u2019s Haven, the city\u2019s only year-round emergency shelter for adults. <\/p>\n
In 2024, Saint Anthony\u2019s Haven provided 5,567 nights of shelter to 549 individuals. <\/p>\n
While the facility offers 20 beds for men and six for women, CSS officials noted that the additional space at Weston Field is essential on extremely cold nights.<\/p>\n
\u201cA shelter is one of our core programs. It is Gospel-based \u2013 this is what we do,\u201d Joe Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services, explained. \u201cWe provide emergency shelter 365 nights a year at Saint Anthony\u2019s Haven, but on especially cold nights, we would need more room. Being able to house up to 50 (people) here will give us that space we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mahoney emphasized the collaboration required to launch the new partnership.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing happens in a vacuum,\u201d he said. \u201cWe were able to come together and get this done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Representing the Diocese of Scranton, Father Gerald W. Shantillo, Vicar General, thanked the City and partner agencies for their cooperation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are just so grateful that we could all work together to address this issue,\u201d Father Shantillo said. \u201cWe are going to do our best to let people who are vulnerable and in need know that we love them as a community, and we\u2019re going to help them get through the difficult times that they have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jessica Spangenberg, Program Supervisor for Saint Anthony\u2019s Haven, who will help organize the Code Blue shelter for Catholic Social Services, said the Weston Field location is well-suited for individuals who typically travel on foot.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of our population is on foot. It\u2019s not far from Saint Anthony\u2019s Haven. It is also in a similar vicinity to the Community Intervention Center,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n
Code Blue guests will have access to restroom facilities, hot beverages, as well as meals prepared by Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen.<\/p>\n
Spangenberg said volunteers will play a vital role in evening setup, morning cleanup, meal distribution, and laundry support. CSS personnel will oversee overnight staffing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can use all the help we can get,\u201d Spangenberg said. \u201cNothing is too small. An hour or two of volunteer time makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also addressed common misconceptions about those experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody can be in this position. Most working-class people are one emergency, one crisis, one paycheck away,\u201d she said. \u201cShelter, warmth, and food are not luxuries. They are basic human rights, and it takes a community effort to provide them.\u201d<\/p>\n
To volunteer to help with the Code Blue shelter, contact Spangenberg at JSpangenberg@cssdioceseofscranton.org or call (570) 342-1296, ext. 2715.<\/p>\n
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