The central San Antonio ministry is proving to be a lifeline for those seeking shelter from some of the coldest temperatures of the season.
SAN ANTONIO — At Corazon Ministries in downtown San Antonio on Avenue E, where the homeless community is served every day, staff are used to seeing big crowds of needy people.
Now, though, with frigid temperatures gripping the city and overnight lows reaching the mid-30s, their outreach work has become a 24/7 life-saving operation.
During the day, Corazon’s main gathering space is a place to line up for hot food and drinks. But until the cold breaks, they said they will be sheltering everyone they can all night long.
To achieve their goals, Corazon is asking for volunteers to help with the hands-on work that big crowds require.
“We want to make sure the place is clean and safe and so we need help turning the physical environment into an overnight shelter or to a daytime respite center,” said CEO Erika Borrego. “So mopping, sweeping, sanitizing all surfaces. And we need help organizing all the amazing donations that we’re getting from the community.”
Borrego said there are jobs for every skill set.
“We are actually looking for volunteers that can help us prepare meals, and that can help us serve meals,” Borrego said, adding she was pleased that they’re seeing an increase in both volunteers and donations.
Of the bitter cold alternative of trying to shelter on the street, Borrego said: “We are saving lives every night. It is incredibly cold outside and if we can provide even just a little bit of comfort for those that don’t have another place to be, then we want to be that solution for our folks in the community.”
Every evening during the 6 p.m. hour, they are closing the shelter for one hour so that the dining room can be transformed into a place for about 100 people to sleep on mats on the floor.
“Many hands make light work and it’s just great to see the community rising up to support,” Borrego said.
One change they are seeing with the increased numbers is a jump in the amount of people with medical needs.
Borrego said they are looking for specialty volunteers who can help out for day or night shifts.
“When we have to get people up to go to the bathroom or assist them to get in and out of their wheelchairs, it becomes more complicated and so we’re urging any kind of nurses or any people with medical experience that would like to come help support our efforts,” Borrego said. “We have all the information updated in real time on our website.”
Corazon, located at 504 Avenue E, is offering nightly shelter this week from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, with the daytime operations running from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone in need of meals, case management or shelter from the cold is welcomed and served on a first come, first serve basis.
With a broad smile, volunteer James Williams said he was enjoying his first shift.
“Today is my first day of volunteering and I love it. They are very nice people, just like family, and it warms your heart,” Williams said.
Speaking emotionally, Tiny said she serves because it gives her a feeling of grace.
“I love working with the people. I love everything about these people. I wish I could do more because it’s worth every minute, every hour,” Tiny said. “It hurts seeing them on the street.”
Handing out donuts in the desert line, Morgan said she could help anyone find the right fit.
“Do I have a job for everybody? Pretty much! Anybody that wants to come down and get their hands dirty, we will find a job for them.”
Saying that both young and old have been volunteering, Borrego said sometimes it’s compassion that proves to be most valuable, when people offer kind words.
Volunteers can sign up at www.corazonsa.org. Find other ways you can help homeless San Antonians during this week’s arctic blast here.