The Martinsville-Henry County (MHC) Warming Center is set to open on Friday, November 1, for the upcoming season, offering shelter to individuals in need during the colder months.
The center opens its doors to guests whenever the temperature falls to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or during inclement weather, such as rain or snow. “If the wind chill is low, we’ll open as well,” said Ariel Johnson, director of the center. The season typically ends on March 31, but Johnson noted operations may extend into April if weather conditions remain harsh.
Guests can check in between 7-10 p.m. and are required to leave by 9 a.m., with designated smoking breaks at 1 a.m., 3 a.m., and 5 a.m. This year, the center will also offer paid overnight staff, addressing a previous issue of volunteer shortages. “Hopefully, folks won’t see as many ‘we need help tonight or we will close’ posts,” Johnson said.
Thanks to $35,000 in funding each from Henry County and the City of Martinsville, the center will also hire a case manager to connect guests with needed services, a role previously handled by volunteers or Johnson herself. “Having someone dedicated to this role is going to be huge,” she added.
The center also hopes to fill other positions: overnight staff to work two or three days a week from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., and an assistant director to help manage daily operations. These positions are listed on Indeed.com.
In an improvement from previous years, Johnson said. The center will extend its morning hours, staying open until 9 a.m. “It’s just one more hour, but it means our guests will be inside and warm a little longer,” she added.
From Monday through Friday, the center will remain open until noon to allow guests to meet with community resource representatives. On Tuesdays, the First Uptown Ministry Center of Martinsville offers showers and meals. The ministry picks-up guests in the morning, provides breakfast, showers, and access to a clothes closet, followed by lunch.
The center can accommodate up to 30 individuals per night. Last year, it served 180 people throughout the season. “We’ve never hit 30 guests,” Johnson said, adding that she has noticed a growing trend.
We’re not seeing the same healthy transition, where people get housed or move on like we used to. Instead, the numbers are rising,” Johnson added.
The center is in need of supplies for the upcoming season, including blankets, sheets, socks, hats, coffee, water, non-perishable food, and hygiene products such as toothbrushes and razors. Donations can be dropped off at various locations, including Community Fellowship, Bo Knows Wireless, Luna Moth Tattoo Studio, First Baptist Church of Martinsville, and Spencer Group Real Estate & Auctions.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up via the Warming Center’s Facebook page, and donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 3449, Martinsville, VA 24115. For more information, visit www.warmingcentermhc.org or call (276) 207-9660.
