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Given the extreme cold in the Detroit area — by some measures 26 degrees below normal for this time of year — the agencies who help the neediest make it through this time of year are caught somewhat by surprise. Official service providers, church volunteers, veterans groups, and other officials are working overtime to connect those without homes with warming centers where they can wait out this unusual cold streak.
Their needs are many, but not beyond the reach of the average person:
• They need material goods, including new socks, gloves, and winter hats.
• They need volunteers and more resources to patrol targeted areas where the homeless are known to congregate between 6 p.m. and midnight this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, to ensure anyone out in cold has access to shelter, food, and more.
Members of the public who would like to assist in the effort are encouraged to donate new winter hats, gloves, and socks to the following locations:
• The Noah Project
Central Detroit Methodist, 23 E. Adams Ave., Detroit; 313-965-5422
• The Pope Francis Center
438 St. Antoine St., Detroit; 313-964-2823
Residents are also urged to support the outreach effort by giving monetary donations to the following organizations:
• Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
• Cass Community Social Services
• Southwest Solutions
Actual homeless needing shelter are encouraged to call the CAM Call Center at 313-305-0311. Families with children will be directed to the Southwest Solutions Housing Resource Center at 1600 Porter St. from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
In addition, residents are free to visit any of the city’s recreation centers or Detroit Public Library branches to get warm during regular hours of operation.
Detroit recreation centers
Adams Butzel Center, 10500 Lyndon St.
6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday - Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Butzel Family, 7737 Kercheval St.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Clemente Center, 2631 Bagley St.
1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday
Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser Rd.
1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Coleman A. Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Dr.
6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Dr.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Heilmann Center, 19601 Crusade St.
6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Lasky Center, 13200 Fenelon St.
1 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday
Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd.
6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday ; 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St.
6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday ; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Williams Recreation Center, 8431 Rosa Parks St.
6 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday
For public library locations and hours, click here.
