Amidst the cold snap that's got Durham wrapping up tight, city officials and community partners have rolled out something to warm the heart—a new 52-bed cold weather family shelter. This emergency shelter, a collaboration between the City of Durham, Union Baptist Church, and Durham County’s Emergency Management, is now ready to house families with children on what they're calling White Flag nights—basically when it's really cold outside.
Operated by Families Moving Forward, the shelter kicked off on December 15 and is part of the bigger "100 Days of Warmth" campaign, which is all about getting folks through the chilliest part of the year. "Every person in Durham deserves a warm, safe place to sleep, especially on the coldest nights of the year," City of Durham Community Safety Department Director Ryan Smith told the City of Durham's News Flash. Alongside the expansion, locals are encouraged to chip in by volunteering or donating to support the campaign's missions.
Union Baptist Church stepping up in this partnership sends a clear message of their community commitment. Their Senior Pastor, Dr. Prince Rivers, mentioned in the same article, "Union Baptist is honored to partner with the City of Durham to provide safe, warm shelter for vulnerable families." The emphasis is on shelter for families during extreme weather conditions, a sentiment echoed by Tasha Melvin, Executive Director of Families Moving Forward, who praised the collective effort to safeguard those most in need, as per the City of Durham.
The "100 Days of Warmth" isn't just sounding out to the residents—it's a siren call for faith communities and other community partners to lend a hand. A whole host of organizations like Durham CAN, Durham Congregations in Action, and United Way of the Greater Triangle are involved, ensuring resources like volunteers and supplies are on hand. "Relationships are paramount to finding solutions for all our community issues, especially the urgent need addressed by the 100 Days of Warmth," Ketty Thelemaque from Durham CAN said in an interview with the City of Durham's News Flash.
For those wanting to get into the spirit of giving, the United Way’s 100 Days of Warmth Fund is open for contributions. Money goes straight to the non-profits running these vital shelters. Plus, there's an ask out for volunteers and for those who can to buy survival kit supplies for the homeless who might not want to stay in a regular shelter. Full details on how to contribute or spread the word are available on the city's webpage.
