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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County has partnered with Waterfront Rescue Mission to establish a consistent cold weather sheltering plan for the community, providing free shelter options for men, women and children to stay during cold weather events.
Through the partnership, Waterfront Rescue Mission will be the central receiving point for anyone in need of emergency shelter when the temperature drops to 40 degrees or less. Waterfront will coordinate with other partner agencies including ReEntry Alliance Pensacola to ensure anyone needing cold weather shelter can be accommodated.
Escambia County and Waterfront Rescue Mission hosted a Cold Weather Community Forum today, Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Waterfront Rescue Mission facility, providing an opportunity for productive conversation between community partners. Approximately 60 people attended the forum, including representatives from shelters, homeless outreach organizations, local law enforcement, and numerous community partners working together to address cold weather sheltering needs in Escambia County.
“Extreme cold weather can impact anyone, including children and families who are living in their car or in a tent, with little to no protection from the cold,” Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said. “Our goal through this partnership is to provide shelter from the cold to anyone in our community who needs it, regardless of their life circumstances. We greatly appreciate Waterfront for approaching Escambia County about working together to establish a plan for more consistent cold weather sheltering in our community.”
During declared cold weather events, men can stay at Waterfront Rescue Mission at no charge, and Waterfront will work with REAP to house women and children overnight. If no accommodation can be made, Waterfront will still shelter anyone during cold weather emergencies.
Waterfront Rescue Mission also operates as a Day Resource Center Monday-Friday under normal circumstances, but it will be open 24 hours a day during cold weather events to serve as a warming center for anyone who needs to get out of the cold.
“I am grateful to God, He has given Waterfront the resources to shelter people in our community,” Waterfront President Clay Romano said. “Our goal is to work in cooperation with other service providers to ensure that people are safe during cold weather events.”
Escambia County and Waterfront Rescue Mission are seeking volunteers willing to assist with shelters during cold weather events, along with donations such as blankets, jackets, socks and more. Anyone interested in volunteering or donating items is asked to please complete this form and email it to homelessness@myescambia.com.
The Cold Weather Community Forum was a Real Change Escambia event, which focuses on collaboration between Escambia County and other community partners to explore solutions for homelessness and related issues facing the community.
Escambia County also hosted a Real Change event on Sept. 26 at the Brownsville Community Center, which drew over 200 attendees and featured more than 50 community partners working together to provide resources to the community, including free haircuts, lunch, support services and more. The Sept. 26 event also introduced attendees to the Escambia County CORE Program, which is an addiction and opioid recovery program that aims to connect overdose patients to sustainable care and personalized treatment. Escambia County plans to host additional Real Change events in the future to help connect the community with valuable resources and assistance.
Escambia County will share information about future Real Change events and cold weather shelter openings on the myescambia.com website and county social media channels including the Escambia County and Escambia County Emergency Management Facebook pages. To sign up to receive email alerts from Escambia County, visit myescambia.com and click the “subscribe” icon.
Community partners participate in the Cold Weather Forum hosted by Escambia County and Waterfront Rescue Mission on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins speaks at the Cold Weather Forum at Waterfront Rescue Mission on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
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