In Springfield, it's not the government that steps in to shelter the homeless when temperatures plummet—rather, it’s mostly churches, nonprofits, and their volunteers that have scrambled this week to open emergency shelters for those in need.
The Council of Churches of the Ozarks operates the women's cold weather shelter at its headquarters at 627 N. Glenstone Avenue when temperatures hit 32 degrees or colder. That's in addition to the year-round overnight shelter Council of Churches offers for homeless women: Safe to Sleep.
At the women’s cold weather shelter on North Glenstone, doors don't open until 9:00 PM.
About half an hour before that, there’s already one woman leaning up against the door, shielding herself from the wind and snow.
She doesn’t want to give her name. This is her second night at this shelter, she said. She spent the day walking between fast food restaurants and Wal-Mart and a library to stay warm. She’s fallen behind on her student loans, she says, and is looking for work.
After a few minutes, other women approach the shelter on foot. Some are coming from the bus stop. All of them say they are homeless.
A volunteer gives us an update from her car: someone with the key is on the way.
The women talk about where they grew up, their custody cases, and their health problems.
Finally, at around 10 minutes after 9:00, someone arrives with the key. Stepping inside the building offers instant relief from the biting cold.
There are usually two volunteers who stay overnight, and volunteers are very much needed, organizers say. Cheryl Clay is on an overnight shift, and she’s done this before.
“I try to do it as much as I can, especially on a night like tonight, it’s really humbling. Especially while I sat in my car and waited on the key to get here—you know, and they were all gathered there. That was kind of humbling,” Clay said.
Overnight volunteers can take a break and get some shut-eye in the adjoining room.
Clay asks the five women to sign in. One woman, who appears to be in her mid-20s, goes immediately to a mat on the floor and tries to fall asleep. A couple of women pour decaf coffee. They also have the option of hot chocolate or hot tea, Clay said.
The women sleep on exercise mats; there are no cots or mattresses. And one guest at the shelter tells me there aren't any pillows or blankets at the shelter, either. Some of the guests have brought their own blankets; one woman offers to share her blanket with another.
At this shelter, there are no frills; but the heat is turned on and there's a roof over their heads. On nights like these, those basic protections are essential to their survival.
Over at the men’s warming shelter at the East Sunshine Church of Christ, volunteers undergo training before beginning their shifts, lead minister Deron Smith told KSMU. The men's cold weather overnight shelter expects to operate at capacity this week, Smith said.
There is free transporation to the men's overnight cold weather shelter; currently, there is no transportation to the women's overnight cold weather shelter.
The Salvation Army has opened its doors this week as well due to the extreme cold.
Volunteers are needed at the shelters operated by both Council of Churches of the Ozarks and the East Sunshine Church of Christ.
To learn more, you can call Council of Churches at (417) 862-3586 or call the East Sunshine Church of Christ at 417-889-5455. You can see more of KSMU's reporting on cold weather shelters by clicking here.