Philadelphians experienced their first significant snowstorm on Monday — many areas in the city were covered with 2 to 4 inches of snow — quickly followed by frigid temperatures.
For the people experiencing homelessness in the city, those conditions can quickly become life threatening.
According to the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Service, homelessness in Philadelphia has risen for the third consecutive year. To combat the most harmful, debilitating and demoralizing aspects of the bitter chill, local spaces such as the 146-year old Philly House, Broad Street Love and Project HOME’s Outreach Coordination Center coordinate to help those living on the streets find warmth and comfort.
“Broad Street Love (BSL) maintains essential services during adverse weather conditions through a careful assessment of safety conditions for its guests and staff,” BSL’s CEO Laure Biron told Metro on Monday, amid the snowstorm. “Our priority is providing critical services like mail and a hot lunch while ensuring the wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and community members. We implement flexible programming adjustments based on weather severity and staffing levels, allowing us to responsibly maintain core services when our community needs them most.”
With every hot lunch, warm coat and core service, BSL does so in dedication to equity and humanity at high levels — especially during freezing temperatures.
“Guests need a place to get out of the elements, to gather with their friends around a hot meal, and have access to critical services,” states Biron. “We strive to be consistent and dependable, core aspects of accountability and building trust.”
Along with welcoming guests into Broad Street’s ministry space, BSL’s outreach program — foot soldiers dedicated to seeking out those in need — work daily, and closely with everyone looking to provide care, regardless of weather.
“Outreach can bring guests in for a meal or support guests onsite, out of the snowy weather. When our services are altered, we get information on social media quickly, which is a great way to communicate with guests about what’s available or any service changes to be aware of.”
Biron insists social media and word-of-mouth are exceptional ways to help those in need.
“Please refer neighbors you see in need to us at 315 South Broad Street. Say hello to someone you might not normally. Snowy days, when many places are closed, are especially lonely.”
At Philly House on N. 13th Street, its CEO, Rev. Jeremy Montgomery, states that their mission remains the same even in the bitterest of chills.
“Our doors are always open, 24/7/365 days-a-year,” he says. “Weather such as this heightens the vigilance of my staff to be even more ready for any-and-all who walk through our doors.”
Montgomery sees Philly’s coldest of Code Blues as an opportunity to serve, to keep people off the street, and to remind the vulnerable (and those of us who see them daily) that Philly House — the city’s largest shelter serving a third of Philly’s homeless population, feeding over 100,000 meals per year — does have warm beds available.
“If you see anyone who appears unhoused or unsheltered, call the city’s outreach hotline, 215-232-1984. We coordinate on a moment-to-moment basis with the City’s Office of Homeless Services the beds that we have available. Though Philly House is independent, we support the system… There’s no reason for anyone to experience this winter weather without shelter.”
Philly House has cooks, such as Fred Berry, who make the organization’s two hot meals a day policy possible. However, the shelter does require the city’s outreach community to keep its eyes on Philly’s homeless during below freezing weather, as Philly House is woefully understaffed.
“We don’t expect to be out of Code Blue, at the earliest, until Jan. 15,” he says. “We’re bracing for it. Every cold night, frankly, is an opportunity for us to invite someone without shelter in off the streets; to never return ever to the streets – that’s MY headline.”
When Montgomery spoke to Metro, outside of his window, the same gentleman has been standing on a stream grate, so far refusing to come in for a hot meal or a bed to relax his body.
“I walked out there personally to ask him to come in and have a hot lunch – even if he goes back out to the grate afterwards. He’s the guy who I want to keep Philly House’s doors open for.”
Those who wish to donate time and energy to help serve meals or other services at Philly House and/or Broad Street Love, contact phillyhouse.org and broadstreetlove.org
