Shelbyville Warming Center & Overnight Shelter Opening
As Hoosiers prepare for temperatures across the state to dip below zero for the first time this winter, The Salvation Army of Shelbyville is preparing to open as a daytime warming center and overnight shelter to keep local residents safe during the frigid temperatures. Starting on Saturday, February 6 and running through Tuesday, February 16, the corps community center will operate at a daytime warming center from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and an overnight shelter from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.
The Salvation Army is working in conjunction with Shelby County Emergency Management to keep the building at 136 E. Washington Street open 24/7 to protect the most vulnerable area residents, including the homeless and those with inadequate heating in their homes. Pre-registration is required and individuals are encouraged to visit The Salvation Army by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5 to complete the pre-registration process.
All individuals must test negative for COVID-19 in order to stay in the shelter, so the Health Department is offering rapid COVID-19 tests 4:30-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6. Face masks and social distancing will also be required.
"The Salvation Army is grateful to have this opportunity to network with community agencies as well as to provide our homeless with much needed protection from the predicted arctic blast," said Envoy Shannon Benner, who oversees much of the programming and regular feeding programs at The Salvation Army in Shelbyville. For years the location has been feeding struggling Shelby County residents seven days a week, but the COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand.
The Salvation Army is in need of volunteers to help staff the warming center and warming shelter, especially during mealtimes. Available volunteer shifts include:
- Breakfast 7:00-8:00 a.m. (duties include bringing or preparing food, serving guests, and clean-up)
- Dinner 6:00-7:00 p.m. (same duties as above)
- Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (same duties as above, weekends are covered by existing volunteers)
- Daytime Warming Center Monitors (duties include monitoring of snacks and drinks, meeting needs, and fellowship with guests)
- 8:00-11:00 a.m.
- 12:30-3:00 p.m.
- 3:00-6:00 p.m.
- Overnight Shelter Monitors (duties include interaction with guests, monitoring of showers 6:00-9:00 p.m., and safety and general monitoring)
- 6:00-9:00 p.m.
- 9:00-11:00 p.m.
- 11:00-7:00 a.m.
Volunteers are being coordinated by Ryan Hansome, Shelby County Emergency Management Director. He can be reached at (317) 392-6308 or rhansome@co.shelby.in.us.
The Salvation Army requires that all monitors complete a short Safe From Harm certification course before their volunteer shift. To enroll, follow the steps below:
1. Go to http://website.PraesidiumInc.com/EnrollNow
2. Enter the registration code: SACTIND
3. Fill out the form and click the link to enroll. For ministry unit, please put The Shelbyville Salvation Army. Please include your email address so that we can contact you if needed.
4. Print the page or write down your user login and password for future reference.
5. To begin training immediately click the first link or follow the instructions below to login later.
6. Send a copy of your completed certificate to shannon.benner@USC.salvationarmy.org