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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">1005 W. Worley St. <br />Columbia, MO 65203</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">January 11, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sydney Olsen
<br />Engagement and Public Communications Manager
<br />City Manager's Office
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7438
<br />Sydney.Olsen@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Warming center, shelters available in Columbia</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - Due to the dangerously cold winter weather that is in the forecast beginning Friday, Jan. 12, the public is reminded of the several locations in Columbia available to those who need shelter from the extreme cold.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Warming Centers</strong><br /><br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services coordinates a network of warming and cooling centers in the community. <br /><br />Columbia's warming centers include:<br /><br />
<ul>
<li>ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash St.</li>
<li>City Hall, 701 E. Broadway</li>
<li>Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.</li>
<li>Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway</li>
<li>Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St.</li>
<li>Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St.</li>
<li>St. Francis House, 901 Rangeline St.</li>
</ul>
<br />Warming centers are available to the general public during the building's normal business hours. The public is allowed access to public areas, such as lobbies, restrooms, drinking fountains, etc.<br /><br />Specific questions about each warming center should be directed to the facility’s management. Regular business hours may be impacted by winter weather and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Monday, Jan. 15.<br /><br />Additional information about warming centers can be found at CoMo.gov/Health/Public-Health-Safety/Warming-and-Cooling-Centers.<br /><br /><strong><br />Shelters</strong><br /><br />Columbia's shelters include:<br /><br />
<ul>
<li>Flourish (for teens), please call 573.615.6135</li>
<li>Rainbow House (for children/youth), 1611 Towne Dr., 573.474.6600</li>
<li>Room at the Inn (for adults), 1509 Ashley St., 573.825.6038 </li>
<li>The Salvation Army Harbor House (men, women and families), 602 N. Ann St., 573.442.1984</li>
<li>True North (for those in domestic violence situations), please call 573.875.1370</li>
<li>Welcome Home (for veterans), 2120 Business Loop 70 E., 573.443.8001</li>
</ul>
<br />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.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Overnight Warming Center</strong><br /><br /><br />The City of Columbia contracts 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 this location will open in the event of a National Weather Service forecast of temperatures 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of a given night.<br /><br />The temporary overnight warming center will serve as a refuge of last resort for persons unwilling or unable to access local emergency shelter services. Turning Point staff will continue to coordinate closely with homeless service providers to ensure low-barrier access to overnight emergency shelter as the preferred
option for persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness.<br /><br />To reduce cold weather threats, residents are advised to consider these precautions:<br /><br />
<ul>
<li>Stay indoors if possible.</li>
<li>Dress warm and stay dry.</li>
<li>Wear multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing. Wear a hat, scarf and mittens.</li>
<li>Do not ignore shivering. Shivering is a sign that the body is losing heat. If shivering persists, go indoors.</li>
<li>Know the warning signs for hypothermia, an abnormally low body temperature. Continued exposure to cold temperatures can cause confusion, drowsiness, clumsiness and exhaustion.</li>
<li>Know the signs and symptoms of frostbite or injury to the body caused by freezing. Frostbite mostly affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. Signs include tingling and numbness, white or grayish-yellow areas of skin and skin that feels waxy. </li>
<li>Additional information about hypothermia and frostbite can be found on the CDC’s website: <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html">https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html</a></li>
<li>Avoid ice-covered walkways and be cautious while shoveling snow and clearing walkways.</li>
<li>Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses and bridges.</li>
<li>Limit outdoor time for children and monitor for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.</li>
<li>Check on family, friends, and neighbors who could be at high risk of cold-related injury or illness including elderly, those who are fighting an illness and people who do not have access to adequate heat.</li>
<li>Provide proper shelter for pets. If pets or livestock must remain outdoors, provide fresh water and food supplies on a regular basis.</li>
<li>A driver who becomes stranded in their vehicle should cover their body with extra clothing and remain in the vehicle.</li>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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