Guests will have access to a safe space, beverages and a meal, bathrooms, and the ability to rest on a mat on the floor. They will also be assisted in connecting to first responders regarding all serious health and safety concerns. Additionally, information regarding other community services will be available, including direct access to the Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (C-CAN), to be assessed for potential housing opportunities.
The nightly capacity at the Warming Center is 35 individuals.
Bay Cove Human Services operates the Winter Warming Center, in addition to shelter and outreach services in Cambridge. They also have experience with operating a night center and warming center in Boston.
Bay Cove staff work with multiple City departments, the Cambridge Police Department, first responders, outreach teams, and other homeless service providers to operate the Winter Warming Center. Outreach and police partners support Warming Center operations by helping to identify individuals who are residing outdoors during extreme weather and are interested in getting indoors for the evening.
Our community identified the need for additional resources for adult individuals in Cambridge who are not able to stay in conventional shelters due to personal circumstances or mental health conditions. These individuals sleep outdoors by default and are subject to hazardous conditions, especially during the winter months.
The objective is to provide a welcoming, low threshold, indoor overnight service that will provide food, a safe place to rest, and protection from inclement weather. Information about community resources and services will also be available.
The Winter Warming Center is intended to ensure optimal health and safety for all guests, staff, and nearby neighbors. Guests will be welcomed to the space through an intake process on the interior of the building, thereby limiting time spent outdoors. Staff will monitor guests during outside breaks. The Cambridge Police Department has also committed to assigning an officer to the area during the warming center season.