Milwaukee organizations prepare to help the homeless stay warm this winter

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Winter weather has arrived, and Wisconsin organizations are preparing to help the homeless stay warm.

"We are going to be making sure we're out tonight bringing all the warm supplies we can possibly fit on our bus," said Eva Welch, executive co-director of Street Angels.

With the first snow of the season, Street Angels in Milwaukee is focusing their efforts on protecting homeless people from the cold.

"In the last two weeks we have seen and verified over 300 people that are outdoors," Welch said.

Street Angels has seen an increase in homelessness, and winter weather means higher demand for resources.

"We're always in need of blankets year-round, hand warmers are fabulous, thick warm socks are great, anything warm," Welch said.

Warm clothes and blankets provide temporary comfort, until overnight warming centers open up later in the season.

"These warming rooms literally can mean the difference between life and death for some people," Welch said.

Next to King Park, Repairers of the Breach plans to open their overnight warming center sometime in November.

"It seems like it's coming earlier and earlier each year," said Rev. James West, the executive director of Repairers of the Breach.

The refuge center is open during the day year-round, only opening overnight in the winter.

Last year, they began overnight operations before December, and stayed open through April, their longest season ever.

"Kind of took a toll on the budget. We're recouping our resources," West said.

Repairers of the Breach also needs warm clothing and monetary donations to keep things running.

"Last year we were averaging 50 people a night, 120 people during the day, so it takes a lot of staff," West said.

The center cam host 65 people at a time.

Once they're ready for overnights, Repairers of the Breach won't have a temperature requirement to open.

"We're going to do our best, once that winter temperature comes, to just stay open every night, because we realize they do need us every night," West said.

For more information on needs of Repairers of the Breach, click here.

To learn more about Street Angels, click here.

Anyone experiencing homelessness can call 211 to be connected to shelters and other resources.