Urgent Need Winter Weather Shelter Volunteers - January 23rd to 26th.

Homeward Bound is urgently in need of volunteers to assist with the Code Purple emergency winter weather shelter program during the upcoming winter storm.

**Please do not attempt to volunteer if conditions are unsafe for you to make it to the building at 19 N Ann Street **

Shelter volunteers assist staff in intaking clients, labeling and putting away belongings, serving meals and drinks, setting up cots, and overall assisting clients and staff with any needs as they arise.

Homeward Bound is participating in the county wide Code Purple shelter system, meaning that on nights that the weather is below freezing or otherwise severe, we open 20 beds for clients to be able to stay overnight at our AHOPE Day Center. Code Purple is called by outside agency coordinators 48 hours in advance. With the impending storm, we are nearly certain that this shelter will be activated each night until at least Monday night, likely more.

We anticipate being at capacity or slightly over and we anticipate possible power outages, adding additional difficulty to shelter operations. Additionally, we anticipate keeping clients in the building longer than usual. During normal operations, clients can begin entering the shelter and doing intake at 6pm and are asked to leave at 7:30am, volunteers are typically assisting from 5pm to 9pm. The changes to that schedule will be fluid as we navigate the storm.

Please contact Sara Graul, the Assistant Director of Homeless Services, for the most up to date information about current needs and schedule prior to coming to volunteer outside of normal volunteer hours (5pm to 9pm). New volunteers will be able to sign waivers/paperwork and be given instruction on duties upon arrival.