As North Texas prepares for an extremely cold weekend, warming shelters will be available for those who need a place to stay.
The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office issued a winter storm watch and an extreme cold watch ahead of the weather this weekend, and Gov. Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources.
Here’s where to find warming shelters:
Dallas
D-FW Weather Wise
The city of Dallas’ primary temporary overnight shelter will open at 4 p.m. on Friday at Fair Park’s Grand Place building, 3701 Grand Ave. The Austin Street Center and OurCalling, homelessness service providers in Dallas, will operate the inclement weather shelter in partnership with the city.
The capacity will be between 800 and 900 people, and the shelter will remain open until nighttime temperatures rise above freezing.
City officials said if capacity is reached, they plan to open other locations.
Pastor Wayne Walker told The Dallas Morning News OurCalling will provide warm meals, healthy snacks and blankets and coats for those who will be in the shelter.
“If you see someone experiencing homelessness and if it’s an emergency, call 911, but otherwise, they can use the OurCalling app, and report that location to us and we will try to send a team out to that location,” Walker said.
OurCalling’s street outreach teams are searching for people living outside, including those in wooded areas, underpasses and other high-risk locations.
The organization is seeking volunteers to help set up the temporary shelter and assist during the weekend, as well as monetary donations and resources like blankets and sweatpants.
For more information, visit www.ourcalling.org.
The Bridge
The Bridge, a homeless shelter in downtown Dallas, has space for overnight shelter and overflow spots for nearly 400 guests. When The Bridge reaches capacity, it coordinates transportation for guests to temporary shelters.
The Bridge operates from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1818 Corsicana St., providing access to indoor shelter, hot meals and supportive services.
This week, The Bridge outreach staff have been distributing cold-weather items such as coats, gloves and blankets, sharing information about upcoming weather conditions and informing individuals of available shelter options.
Folks are also offered transportation to The Bridge if they choose to come indoors.
For more information, visit www.bridgehrc.org.
The Salvation Army of North Texas
The Salvation Army of North Texas is opening overnight shelters to serve vulnerable populations, to minimize people being exposed to extreme temperatures and to provide resources for those most at risk of cold-weather-related illnesses.
“The shelters are designed really to help people get in out of the cold. So it could be those who don’t have a home or a family,” said Christina Cavalier, managing director at The Salvation Army of North Texas.
The locations will remain open to serve the community during the day and overnight. All locations are expecting to begin intake at noon on Friday and stay open through Sunday night or as long as the need is there.
Dallas County
Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, 5302 Harry Hines Blvd. Garland Corps Community Center, 451 West Avenue D
Tarrant County
The Arlington Corps Community Center, 712 W. Abram St. The Mabee Social Service Center, 1855 E. Lancaster Ave.
Collin County
McKinney Corps Community Center, 600 Wilson Creek Pkwy.
For more information, visit www.salvationarmyntx.org. Volunteers are welcome.
McKinney
The McKinney Emergency Overnight Warming Station, hosted at First McKinney Baptist Church, 1615 W. Louisiana St., plans to open from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Thursday to Sunday.
For more information, visit www.firstmckinney.com.
Related
Plano
The Plano Overnight Warming Station plans to open Thursday through Monday. Volunteers at the short-term emergency shelter, hosted at the East Plano Islamic Center at 4700 14th St., provide transportation from the Parker Road DART station to the facility and offer food and shelter.
For more information, visit www.planows.org.
This is a developing story and will be updated.