The number of calls from people seeking assistance through CES has grown 99.5% over the last four years (103,911 calls in 2024), driven by rising homelessness and economic hardships...
Press release from the Office of Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee
Governor McKee Shares Expanded Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness During Extreme Weather
PROVIDENCE, RI — With a polar vortex expected to hit the state this week, Governor Dan McKee is sharing information about expanded resources, including the activation of emergency winter hubs across Rhode Island to support individuals during this extreme weather.
“The safety of our residents, particularly those most vulnerable, is our top priority as we prepare for this intense cold,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We are ensuring that more resources are available to provide shelter, warmth, and support to those who need it the most.”
The emergency winter hubs, activated through the Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative, will provide additional, overnight capacity to help keep Rhode Islanders safe. No referral is needed to enter the hubs. Beginning tonight, and extending until the end of the polar vortex, these hubs will be open at the following locations:
Newport: MLK Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd – Open 24 hours until March 31, 2025
Westerly: WARM Center, 56 Spruce Street – Open 24 hours during the winter months
West Warwick: West Warwick Civic Center, 101 Factory Street – Open 4:30 pm – 8:00 am until Thursday, January 9, 2025
“These hubs are a critical resource during this polar vortex,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “They are temporary, emergency drop-in centers designed to provide immediate relief to individuals who might otherwise be exposed to the harsh conditions. We are committed to ensuring that these hubs are readily available to help those in need.”
All winter hub operating hours will be updated on the Department of Housing website: Resources | Department of Housing, as they are subject to change.
In addition to these emergency hubs, beginning tonight and lasting until the end of the polar vortex, several existing overnight shelter locations are also available on a drop-in basis. These shelters include:
Crossroads Rhode Island: 162 Broad Street, Providence, RI – Open beginning at 4:00 pm January 6, 2025
Emmanuel House: 239 Public St, Providence, RI – Open 24 hours from January 7th through January 8, 2025
Welcome House of South County: 8 North Road, Peace Dale (South Kingstown), RI – Open 24 hours
OpenDoors: 1139 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI – Open 24 hours
As Rhode Island braces for the cold, state agencies, municipalities, and community organizations are working together to make sure everyone has access to the support they need to stay safe and warm during this winter weather.
Important Update: While the MLK Community Center is available for the Aquidneck Island community during this cold weather episode, it is not serving as a state emergency hub, as previously reported.
The center was erroneously included in that category due to a miscommunication among Newport-area parties.
I can't keep up! Prior to my last post, I was in the middle of another & somehow deleted it. Story of my life. I get RINewsToday and have kept up with that as well. Just as an aside from one post, I don't consider Gene Valicenti's show right-wing. He seems to like playing the devil's advocate (I do, too). He does it to get a rise from people and I do it because there are 2 sides to a story. My '2 sides' get me in trouble because then I can't make up my mind - oh, well.
Nice to see McKee go on board. Better late than never. Of course, it was on the news at a time when many of these people have settled in somewhere in a tent. Most warming shelters toss people out at 8 AM. I noticed that some will be open 24/7. Per Nancy Thomas, this is for the polar vortex only.
This is just the start of winter with a potential storm on the weekend. I can't even call this a band aid fix.
McKee says this is a top priority. Does he watch the weather reports? We've known for a few days that this was coming but doesn't act until the day it hits. Note, too, that he hasn't declared this an emergency. That indicates he has nothing planned for the next round of winter. Why doesn't he get ahead of things? It would benefit him - nobody would bother him.
GoLocalProv today (1/7) has the Man of the Year. It then lists previous choices. One is Paolino. He was on top of this situation back whenever. He donated a lot of time and money. He's the type needed especially when it comes to real estate. He has the inside track as to empty buildings, which can be quickly renovated or even just opened for the winter as a respite from the lousy weather. Just a thought......
Press release from the Office of Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee
Governor McKee Shares Expanded Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness During Extreme Weather
PROVIDENCE, RI — With a polar vortex expected to hit the state this week, Governor Dan McKee is sharing information about expanded resources, including the activation of emergency winter hubs across Rhode Island to support individuals during this extreme weather.
“The safety of our residents, particularly those most vulnerable, is our top priority as we prepare for this intense cold,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We are ensuring that more resources are available to provide shelter, warmth, and support to those who need it the most.”
The emergency winter hubs, activated through the Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative, will provide additional, overnight capacity to help keep Rhode Islanders safe. No referral is needed to enter the hubs. Beginning tonight, and extending until the end of the polar vortex, these hubs will be open at the following locations:
Newport: MLK Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd – Open 24 hours until March 31, 2025
Westerly: WARM Center, 56 Spruce Street – Open 24 hours during the winter months
West Warwick: West Warwick Civic Center, 101 Factory Street – Open 4:30 pm – 8:00 am until Thursday, January 9, 2025
“These hubs are a critical resource during this polar vortex,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “They are temporary, emergency drop-in centers designed to provide immediate relief to individuals who might otherwise be exposed to the harsh conditions. We are committed to ensuring that these hubs are readily available to help those in need.”
All winter hub operating hours will be updated on the Department of Housing website: Resources | Department of Housing, as they are subject to change.
In addition to these emergency hubs, beginning tonight and lasting until the end of the polar vortex, several existing overnight shelter locations are also available on a drop-in basis. These shelters include:
Crossroads Rhode Island: 162 Broad Street, Providence, RI – Open beginning at 4:00 pm January 6, 2025
Emmanuel House: 239 Public St, Providence, RI – Open 24 hours from January 7th through January 8, 2025
Welcome House of South County: 8 North Road, Peace Dale (South Kingstown), RI – Open 24 hours
OpenDoors: 1139 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI – Open 24 hours
As Rhode Island braces for the cold, state agencies, municipalities, and community organizations are working together to make sure everyone has access to the support they need to stay safe and warm during this winter weather.
###
From today:
Important Update: While the MLK Community Center is available for the Aquidneck Island community during this cold weather episode, it is not serving as a state emergency hub, as previously reported.
The center was erroneously included in that category due to a miscommunication among Newport-area parties.
I can't keep up! Prior to my last post, I was in the middle of another & somehow deleted it. Story of my life. I get RINewsToday and have kept up with that as well. Just as an aside from one post, I don't consider Gene Valicenti's show right-wing. He seems to like playing the devil's advocate (I do, too). He does it to get a rise from people and I do it because there are 2 sides to a story. My '2 sides' get me in trouble because then I can't make up my mind - oh, well.
Nice to see McKee go on board. Better late than never. Of course, it was on the news at a time when many of these people have settled in somewhere in a tent. Most warming shelters toss people out at 8 AM. I noticed that some will be open 24/7. Per Nancy Thomas, this is for the polar vortex only.
This is just the start of winter with a potential storm on the weekend. I can't even call this a band aid fix.
McKee says this is a top priority. Does he watch the weather reports? We've known for a few days that this was coming but doesn't act until the day it hits. Note, too, that he hasn't declared this an emergency. That indicates he has nothing planned for the next round of winter. Why doesn't he get ahead of things? It would benefit him - nobody would bother him.
GoLocalProv today (1/7) has the Man of the Year. It then lists previous choices. One is Paolino. He was on top of this situation back whenever. He donated a lot of time and money. He's the type needed especially when it comes to real estate. He has the inside track as to empty buildings, which can be quickly renovated or even just opened for the winter as a respite from the lousy weather. Just a thought......