Due to increasing demand for emergency winter shelter in the community, DuPagePads, the largest provider of services to those experiencing homeless in DuPage County, will begin offering an overnight warming site at their Access Center located at 703 West Liberty Drive in Wheaton.
The DuPagePads Access Center is a centralized location for DuPage County residents who are experiencing homelessness and in need of assistance in DuPage County to receive life-saving resources, emergency and hygiene supplies, and support. Open daily, clients in the Street Outreach program can shower or wash belongings, access phone, email, and mail as well as obtain hygiene products, a warm meal, and kindness from DuPagePads staff and volunteers.
This winter the Access Center will now be open for walk-ins seven evenings a week beginning December 22nd, including holidays, from 4pm-8am. Regular Access Center service hours will continue Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8am-4pm and Thursdays 8am – noon.
“The biggest barrier that we have faced this winter, and in general, is a lack of shelter availability along with an increased number of homeless individuals throughout our community,” shared Tori Shaffer, Associate VP of Interim Housing. “We think that we will see a lot of different types of people using the warming site, including those dropped off by police officers, hospitals, or walk-in clients who are looking for a warm and safe place to stay. We will look forward to helping families and individuals in addressing their homeless situation and getting them out of the brutally cold temperatures.”
DuPagePads is seeking compassionate and dependable volunteers to work alongside onsite staff and a security guard during overnight shifts at the warming site. Volunteer shifts are available from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, 10:00 pm – 4:00 am, and 4:00 am – 8:00 am. Responsibilities include assisting with food and essentials distribution for clients, sorting and organizing supplies and donations, and providing friendly conversation and support. For more information, please contact Courtney Bronec, Volunteer Manager cbronec@dupagepads.org
If you encounter anyone experiencing homelessness in DuPage County, please encourage them to join DuPagePads at the Access Center for a warm, welcoming, and safe place to stay along with basic needs, food, laundry, and showers. Our staff will triage the clients who walk in or get dropped off at the Access Center and will offer shelter placement to those who qualify and are willing to go. Please know that we cannot accept sex offenders or those registered on Violence Against Youth Registry.
About DuPagePads:
With 40 years of service, DuPagePads is the largest provider of services to those who are homeless in DuPage County. DuPagePads’ solution to ending homelessness is housing, coupled with support services and employment to transform lives. The administration office is located at 601 West Liberty, Wheaton, IL 60187. Additional information can be obtained by contacting DuPagePads at 630.682.3846 or at www.dupagepads.org.