The first snowstorm of 2024 showed the essential role nonprofits and churches play in mobilizing to address the heightened needs of their community, particularly among the homeless population.
The inclement weather during mid-January that shut down schools prompted a swift response from a coalition of local organizations, working to ensure the well-being of vulnerable individuals who might otherwise slip through the cracks.
First United Methodist Church of Holland coordinated round-the-clock warming centers last week, providing 24-hour access to safe indoor space for people experiencing homelessness. More than 50 people used FUMC's overnight warming center.
“We are grateful to all of those who helped us open as a warming center and hosted the guests, donated blankets and snacks, and prayed, as well as to all of the guests who made the experience a good one,” says the Rev. LuAnne Stanley Hook of First UMC. “Guests referenced the ‘warmth and laughter’ and the ‘peaceful environment’ as some of the things for which they were thankful.”
Proactive efforts
Community Action House's Outreach Team took proactive measures, reaching out to more than 100 unhoused individuals before and during the winter storm. Its efforts, in collaboration with the Holland Police Department and its crisis intervention team, aimed to provide critical resources, information, and assistance in finding shelter.
For some, these efforts resulted in reconnecting with family or friends who could offer temporary refuge. Others found safety in shelters like Gateway Mission, which saw a 30% increase in occupancy during the storm. Lifeline Ministries also played a pivotal role in securing temporary accommodations for those in need. In some cases, the police department went above and beyond, providing transportation and even car seats to ensure families could reach safety.
Despite these efforts, shelter remained elusive for some unhoused individuals. Yet, amidst the challenges, the community rallied together, exemplified by the longstanding, deeply ingrained commitment of organizations such as First UMC.
“Every single winter, we have these same conversations – with different churches, agencies, government, police – trying to figure out what we’ll do during extreme weather. And nothing changes,” says Stanley Hook. “ We finally thought, enough was enough. One of our volunteers came to me this fall and said, ‘We need to do something this winter – and we need a real solution by next winter.’”
First UMC’s weekly “Refresh: Hygiene and Hope'' program, in partnership with Community Action House, provides showers, haircuts, mail service, hot meals, and more, alongside case management services through the Action House Outreach team.
Ready to act
As winter approached this year, staff and volunteers from Refresh brainstormed ways to help their unhoused neighbors avoid life-threatening conditions. When windchills plunged to below zero, it was time to act.
Coordinating with Hope Church, Herrick District Library, and Community Action House, First UMC spun up an overnight warming center, aligning hours with other agencies to provide round-the-clock indoor spaces where unhoused people could escape the cold.
“Working one-on-one with so many individuals at Refresh, we know their stories — and we know that there are people who don’t have a place to go, even when the weather is dangerously cold,” says Stanley Hook. “When you know people’s stories like that, you can’t trick yourself into thinking ‘They’ll find another place to go’ – because there may not be a place for them.”
On the first night, the team of church staff, community volunteers, and Outreach team members from Community Action House saw 16 guests. By Friday, that number had climbed to 29. After temperatures creeped back up, First UMC’s overnight warming center wrapped up service on Jan. 19. A total of 52 different individuals used the space to stay warm overnight during the storm.
“We’re glad we were able to help fill a gap. But a temporary space like this isn’t a long-term solution, and our dream would be for continued coordination and conversation with our partners to find better long-term options for our unhoused neighbors,” says Stanley Hook.
While winter conditions push nonprofit organizations into overdrive, a growing lack of affordable housing means that service numbers are increasing year-round. Federal data shows homelessness is up 12% nationally. Locally, a severe rental housing shortage and historically low rental housing vacancy rate means that families teetering on the edge of homelessness have limited options.
Affordable housing projects, like the joint venture between
Dwelling Place and Community Action House and the
HōM Flats at 24 East workforce housing development, are on the horizon as one part of the solution. But crises like January’s storm highlight current gaps that pose real risks for people experiencing homelessness on the lakeshore.