Columbia church to become overnight cooling shelter
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia has partnered with Turning Point to provide a temporary overnight cooling service at Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, according to a Friday press release from the city.
The service at 702 Wilkes Blvd. will start Monday and will be available after 8 p.m. on nights when the overnight low temperature will be higher than 75 degrees.
The Turning Point staff will collaborate with homeless services organizations to ensure that cooling centers are accessible. This location is intended to serve as a last resort for individuals who cannot access overnight services elsewhere.
Janet Hojnowski, a homeless individual, describes the harsh weather conditions in Missouri, stating, "This is the most ungodly place to live in the winter and summer."
The forecast for the next week shows four days with low temperatures expected to be 75 degrees or lower, according to ABC 17's meteorologist team.
Currently, the Turning Point shelter closes at 3:30 p.m., leaving guests to find alternative shelter for the rest of the night. With the new contract in place, such travel will no longer be necessary.
For others without a secure place at different locations, the shelter offers a valuable option.
"It makes it helpful. I mean, I'm lucky enough to be able to be here, but some of them either don't make it in, like one night they turn people away in the heat, and at least they'll have a place to go," said Gayle Rich, who is a homeless individual who has used services at Room at the Inn.
Rich believes the addition of Turning Point is due to health risks people can experience during intense heat.
In addition to Turning Point, the following daytime cooling centers will be available during business hours:
- ARC, 1701 West Ash St.
- City Hall, 701 East Broadway
- Columbia/Boone County PHHS, 1005 West Worley St.
- Daniel Boone Regional Library, 100 West Broadway
- Salvation Army, 1108 West Ash St.
- Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann Street
This comes after high heats plagued the Mid-Missouri area for most of this week. The heat index eclipsed 105 degrees Monday through Thursday.
