With the cold weather ahead, city and county leaders are organizing sheltering responses.
SAN ANTONIO — Erika Borrego is the CEO of Corazon Ministries. As much the as the nonprofit helps the community, they themselves need help – especially with the upcoming cold weather event.
“We need help making meals, we need help cleaning and sanitizing and setting the space up for our guests,” she said. “We need help just loving on our guests.”
Temperatures will begin to drop Wednesday, making efforts to prepare shelters paramount.
“Last year we opened for a total of four days and this year this is our third week,” Borrego said. “Almost three complete weeks we’ve had to open since January. It’s been a cold winter, and we want to make sure we provide warmth in that time.”
The Bexar County Office of Emergency Management is encouraging residents take proactive measures to protect their loved ones and property including your pets, plants and pipes.
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Health and Human Services stated they are at a level 1 of the sheltering response which focuses on providing temporary overnight shelter for those experiencing homelessness.
In collaboration with our non-profit partners, beginning Tuesday night, 465 overnight shelter spaces will be available for our unsheltered population. The City’s Community Connections Hotline (210-207-1799) will be open 24/7 beginning Tuesday. The hotline provides up-to-date information and will connect unsheltered neighbors with resources. The City will provide transportation to overnight shelters at any hour of the day. Animal Care Services will provide kennels to care for pets at shelters.
The City is assessing the weather forecast on a daily basis and will provide updates.
Residents needing a place to stay warm during the day can visit City libraries, and senior and community centers during normal operating hours. To find the nearest place to stay warm and other cold weather tips, residents can visit SA.GOV/ColdWeather or call 3-1-1 (210-207-6000).
Corazon Ministries is open Tuesday through Friday to accommodate those who are unhoused.