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Kind person giving jackets and blankets to a homeless shelter to
Kind person giving jackets and blankets to a homeless shelter to help those in need.
As freezing temperatures are forecast to sweep across North Texas this week, cities and organizations are ramping up efforts to provide safe, warm shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.
In Fort Worth, regular emergency shelters are prepared to serve individuals in need. The Presbyterian Night Shelter (2400 Cypress St.) and Union Gospel Mission (1321 E. Lancaster Ave.) will be open to those seeking refuge from the cold. Families with at least one parent and one child can find shelter at The Salvation Army at 1855 E. Lancaster Ave. If these shelters reach capacity, overflow shelters will be activated at additional emergency locations, ensuring that no one is turned away. Individuals can check if overflow shelters are open by calling 311 and pressing 9.
During the day, adults can warm up at True Worth Place (1513 E. Presidio St.), which operates daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Salvation Army of North Texas is also offering warming shelters across the region, including in Arlington, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, and Lewisville. These shelters will be open 24/7 through Friday, Jan. 10, with specific intake times for each location.
In addition to the main shelters, various organizations are distributing blankets, hand warmers, coffee, and hot meals to those in need. The Oak Cliff Corps Community Center, Plano Corps Community Center, Irving Corps Community Center, and McKinney Corps Community Center are among those mobilizing to provide support.
Several cities across the region have also activated warming centers. The City of Arlington has opened its Homeless Emergency Cold Weather Shelter at the Arlington Life Shelter (325 West Division St.) from Sunday through Friday. The City of Dallas has opened a warming station at Fair Park, with intake beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday and continuing daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until the cold weather passes.
Other areas, including Cleburne, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville, Navarro County, Paris, Plano, Richardson, and Terrell, have also opened warming centers and shelters to provide refuge from the harsh weather conditions.
These shelters and warming stations are crucial, as temperatures are expected to plummet, with wind chills reaching the teens and single digits. Experts warn that hypothermia can set in quickly under these conditions, posing a severe threat to individuals without access to warmth. Hypothermia, a common winter weather killer, can cause memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, and even death.
The cold weather overflow shelter program is in effect through March, with activation triggered by temperatures falling below 35°F in dry conditions, 40°F in wet conditions, or a wind chill of 32°F or lower for more than three consecutive hours.
For more information on available shelters and services, individuals can visit the Directions Home website or call 311 for updates.
Weather Resources:
Presbyterian Night Shelter: 2400 Cypress St., Fort Worth
Union Gospel Mission: 1321 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth
The Salvation Army (for families): 1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth
True Worth Place (Daytime resource): 1513 E. Presidio St., Fort Worth
For a full list of warming centers and shelters across North Texas, please refer to the city or shelter websites or text alerts for the latest updates.
