ServiceNet Hopes to Open Pittsfield Warming Center in Nov.
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A warming center is again planned in the First United Methodist Church for the cold months.
During last week's Homelessness Advisory Committee meeting, Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, reported that they hope to begin operating the nighttime center in mid-November.
It would operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the church, which abuts The Pearl shelter. Forbush said the warming center would be the same program as in the past.
"Again it's a warming center, so there's no cots or beds, but it is certainly a place to come in, and we'll have a hot coffee or cocoa ready for folks," she explained.
"It will be a place to be inside and warm."
This year, ServiceNet hopes to secure full funding from the state so the warming center can open on Sundays at 5 p.m. In years past, they found that Sunday is the most challenging day for unhoused individuals because many community spaces aren't open.
The First Housing Resource Center, managed by Hearthway, opened earlier this year as a low-barrier option for people to rest and access amenities. It is open seven days a week, and Forbush said if people could come to the warming center on Sundays at 5, there would be a fuller day of coverage.
"It does still leave a little gap for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as spaces like the library close at five, but we know that Sundays were something that people were looking for," she said.
ServiceNet is looking for donations of warm clothing, blankets, and towels of all sizes.
Last month, Forbush told the committee that The Pearl's 40 beds remain in high demand.
Karen Ryan gave updates on The Center, formerly The Christian Center. She emphasized they have the same mission and services as before the August name change.
"We're now the Center of Pittsfield. It was the Christian Center for 135 years. We really changed it because people thought that we were a religious organization. They thought we were a church," she explained.
"Sometimes it impacted our donors and getting grants, being a church, just the name. So we decided it was a long time coming. It was years of working towards changing everything."
The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974, but it dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission, founded by the Methodist Church.
The Center has been "extremely busy," Ryan reported; many people are coming in struggling and choosing between paying important bills.
"They just can't survive on what they're making," she said.
Food pantry numbers have exploded, with breakfast and lunch busy every day. They serve about 50 lunches per day.
Ryan reported that many people from The First come in and have formed a group that sits together when they eat.
"Things are great here, just really busy," she said.
The Center is also seeking coats, boots, and warm socks for its guests. It has a free boutique that sees hundreds of people per month.
