As the crisp autumn air begins to settle over Norristown, the need for the Norristown Hospitality Center’s Code Blue Emergency Cold Weather Shelter becomes increasingly urgent. Temperatures are set to plummet, and the threat of severe cold weather looms. For individuals experiencing homelessness, these conditions can be life-threatening.
The Code Blue Shelter serves as a lifeline, providing temporary shelter, warm meals, and essential services to those in need. When the air temperature or windchill drops to 32 degrees or lower, the shelter opens its doors at St. John’s Church (520 Church Street in Norristown), offering a safe and welcoming environment. Volunteers and staff work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of guests, providing a sense of security and comfort during the harsh winter months.
The shelter’s services are vital for preventing hypothermia and other health complications associated with exposure to extreme cold. By offering a warm place to sleep and essential necessities, the Code Blue Shelter helps to protect vulnerable individuals from the dangers of the elements and provides a pathway to stability and hope.
As the Norristown Hospitality Center prepares for the upcoming Code Blue season, we urgently need dedicated volunteers to join our team. The shelter’s success relies heavily on the generosity and compassion of our volunteers, who provide essential support to our guests.
Responsibilities:
- Check-in and Check-out: Greet guests upon arrival, verify their identity, and assist with the check-in process. Assist guests with check-out procedures at the end of their stay.
- Overnight Supervision: Provide overnight supervision and monitoring of the shelter environment to ensure the safety and well-being of all guests.
- Meal Service: Assist with meal preparation, serving, and cleanup.
- Guest Support: Offer emotional support, guidance, and resources to guests. Help connect guests with available services and resources, such as social services, healthcare, and job training provided during daytime hours at the Hospitality Center.
- Facility Upkeep: Assist with general upkeep of the shelter, including cleaning and organizing common areas.
Qualifications:
- Compassion and empathy: A genuine concern for the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Reliability and punctuality: Ability to commit to regular volunteer shifts.
- Positive attitude: A willingness to work in a fast-paced and often challenging environment.
- Effective communication skills: Ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Basic first aid and CPR training: Preferred, but not required.
Benefits:
- Fulfilling work: The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need.
- Valuable experience: Gain experience working with vulnerable populations and develop valuable skills.
- Community involvement: Be part of a supportive community that is committed to helping those experiencing homelessness.
Other Notes:
- All volunteers receive training and support.
- All volunteers will work along side a staff member. There are are least 2 staff members/volunteers assigned to each shift.
- The shelter only operates on nights when the county declares a Code Blue Emergency.
- The shelter may run any day of the week.
Shifts:
- Shift 1:Setup and Check-in – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Shift 2: Shelter monitor – 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Shift 3: Shelter Monitor – 1:00 AM – 7:00 AM
- Shift 4: Cleanup and Breakdown – 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM
If you are interested in getting more information about volunteering at the Norristown Hospitality Center’s Code Blue Shelter, please contact:
Matt Kirsch.
610-277-1322.
