Warming centers and shelters available this winter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia partners with several emergency shelter providers in the community to provide a warm place for individuals to escape the cold.

Columbia's shelters include:

• Flourish (for teens), please call 573.615.6135
• Room at the Inn (beginning Nov. 28), 1509 Ashley St.  
• Salvation Army Harbor House (men, women and families), 602 N. Ann St.
• Rainbow House (for children/youth), 1611 Towne Dr.
• True North (for domestic violence), please call 573.875.1370
• Welcome Home (for veterans), 2120 Business Loop 70 E.
• St. Francis House (for men), 901 Range Line St. - must be vaccinated for COVID-19 to stay overnight

Shelters provide sleeping accommodations and may or may not include meals. Shelter availability may vary. Specific questions about the shelters should be directed to the applicable provider.

The City of Columbia will also contract with Turning Point to provide temporary overnight warming center services at Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, 702 Wilkes Blvd.

The temporary overnight warming center at that location will open only in the event of a National Weather Service forecast for temperatures 25 degrees or below between 7 p.m.-7 a.m. This resource becomes available Nov. 28.

Before Nov. 28, Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church will operate in this capacity on a voluntary basis, outside of the contract.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services also coordinates a network of warming and cooling centers in the community. As the temperature begins to drop, the public is reminded of several locations in Columbia available to those who need shelter from the cold.

Columbia's warming centers include:

• ARC, 1701 W. Ash St.
• City Hall, 701 East Broadway
• Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.
• Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St.
• Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St.
• St. Francis House, 901 Range Line St.

Additional information about warming centers can be found online.