Warming center stepping stone to services

On behalf of the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to St. Vincent DePaul Middletown, local churches, the city of Middletown, and all the generous donors that helped us protect 215 people during our recent winter.

Our county made great strides in housing the homeless, but there are always a few souls who need a place to get out of the cold on any given winter night. Eight years ago, St. Vincent DePaul recognized this need and spearheaded the opening of the warming center that operates between November and March.

This decision was based on simple humanitarian concern, but also the recognition that it’s easier to prevent health problems related to exposure than it is to fix them later. So, no matter their circumstances or state of mind, anyone who wishes to visit the city’s warming center is welcome. As a result, the center is often someone’s introduction to social services and the first step toward regaining a home and better life.

Special thanks go to three Middletown churches which open their doors to host the warming center on a rotating basis: Church of the Holy Trinity, South Congregational Church and St. John’s Church. These churches are living examples of faith in action by offering shelter from the cold.

The city itself deserves equal praise for its willingness to support this vital service. The Liberty Bank Foundation, Middlesex Hospital, Seasons Federal Credit Union, St. Pius X Church and many individual donors also contributed funding. The warming center operates on a shoestring, and we wouldn’t be able to pull it off without this community support.

If you’ve ever been out on a particularly cold evening and wondered about the homeless, take heart. The good people of Middletown generously provide accommodations for your neighbors in need. Howard Reid, chairman, steering committee, Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, Middletown