POWS

The Peace and Social Justice ministry is needing addition volunteers to help with the Plano Overnight Warming Station.
 
An overnight warming station (OWS) is a short term emergency housing opening when the temperature or a combination of precipitation, wind and temperature becomes dangerously inclement.   The paramount purpose is the prevention of death and injury from exposure to the elements.  In recent years the Salvation Army-Plano has served as an OWS site.
 
Volunteers from faith communities including Seton and other organization are always in demand to help staff the POWS. To effectively provide housing for those who need the warming station, help is needed to assist with transportation and hospitality.
 
Training classes are being offered on the following dates:
                Tuesday, February 18th - 6:30 to 9:00 pm
              Tuesday February 25th - 6:30 to 9:00 pm

All classes are held at the Salvation Army, 3528 14th St (at Shiloh) Plano, TX 75074
                                                               
For more information, contact Becky Garcia at 214-293-8854

The CCHC-Interfaith group is reaching out to faith communities and other organizations seeking volunteers to help staff the POWS. To effectively provide housing for those who need the warming station volunteers will be needed to assist with transportation and hospitality.

Transportation:

Hospitality:

Donations:

• Hats
• Gloves
• Socks
• Blankets
• Sleeping Bags
• Rain Gear
• Hygiene Supplies
• Cleaning Supplies

Funding:

An overnight warming station (OWS) is short-term emergency housing that opens when temperatures or a combination of precipitation, wind and temperature become dangerously inclement. The paramount purpose is the prevention of death and injury from exposure to the elements. In recent years, the Salvation Army-Plano has served as an OWS site.

The CCHC-Interfaith group is working on a Plan for the Plano Overnight Warming Station (POWS) that will:

• Communicate with all stakeholders when the POWS will be open.
• Provide transportation from selected pickup locations and the POWS
• Recruit and train faith community and other volunteers to staff the POWS
• Serve meals, and provide hospitality in a secure environment at the POWS
• Provide Support Services to address recurring homeless issues

One cold-weather night might need 6-10 volunteers at the POWS site plus four transportation volunteers.
The POWS site will be open when the forecasted temperature is 35 degrees with a 20% chance of precipitation or a standing temperature of 32 degrees or below is anticipated.

The program is planned to operate from November 1 thru March 31 each year.

Do You have Questions?

More information can be obtained at www.pows.collincares.org, 214-988-9434,
or you can contact Becky Garcia at 214-293-8854 or
Ann Moczygemba at 972-596-1367.

The Collin County Homeless Coalition (CCHC) was founded in 2004 and consists of city governments, school districts, faith communities, service organizations, and individuals working together to provide solutions to homelessness in Collin County.

Each year Plano experiences 30-35 nights a year when temperatures fall below freezing. This Plan seeks to bring faith communities and agencies together to provide a safe, secure overnight sleeping environment and assist those in greatest need during these nights.

The following groups are currently participating:

Ave F Church of Christ
Christ United Methodist Church
City of Plano
First Baptist Church
First Christian Church
Islamic Assoc. of The Colony (IATC)
Knights of Columbus #6065
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance
Plano Police Department
St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church
St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church
The Assistance Center of Collin County
The Salvation Army