TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A number of cold weather shelters will be operational from Sunday night through Tuesday night due to a freeze watch announced for Leon County, as stated in a press release from the Big Bend Continuum of Care.
With local health experts advising on the expected low temperatures that will be at or below 35 degrees, local governments and community partners are committed to providing overnight shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. This initiative aims to ensure that vulnerable populations remain safe during this harsh weather.
Shelters have been designated based on the composition of the households. Single adults aged 18 and older are encouraged to seek refuge at the Kearney Center located at 2650 Municipal Way. Families, defined as at least one adult with one child, should go to HOPE Community at 2729 West Pensacola. Youth aged 10 through 17 can find shelter at 2407 Roberts Avenue, and for further assistance, they can reach out via the hotline at 850-576-6000.
Individuals wanting to utilize these shelters must arrive between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. for intake. The homeless population has been informed about these cold night shelter operations either through direct interactions or text messages. Those needing help with transport through StarMetro can contact the Street Outreach Coordinator at 850-759-1895 or email outreach@bigbendcoc.org.
This collaborative effort involves various organizations, including the Leon County Government and Emergency Management, City of Tallahassee, Leon County Health Department, Big Bend Continuum of Care, Connecting Everyone with Second Chances (CESC)/The Kearney Center, Family Promise of the Big Bend, and Capital City Youth Services (CCYS).
For additional information on the cold night shelter arrangements, the public can reach out to the Big Bend COC at 850-792-5015, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The CESC/Kearney Center can also be contacted at 850-792-9000 for after-hours assistance.
As the community comes together to ensure the safety and well-being of its most vulnerable members during this cold snap, the commitment to providing support showcases the resilience and compassion of the Tallahassee community.