January 8, 2016 - Local social service agencies and the City of Fort Wayne today announced due to precipitation and wind chill conditions forecasted to impact our area in the next few days, the community’s winter weather contingency plan will be activated.

Beginning Sunday, Jan. 10, in addition to the community’s primary warming center hosted by the Rescue Mission, 301 W. Superior St., the City of Fort Wayne will also open a warming center.

City’s warming center schedule:
Sunday; Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St.; 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. (this is due to the Community Center being previously reserved for a special event)
Monday-Wednesday; Community Center, 233 W. Main St.; 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Rescue Mission’s level one warming center is open every day from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. when temperatures reach 40 degrees. Their level two warming center is open every day with additional space from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. when temperatures reach 32 degrees. 

In addition, the Rescue Mission provides additional overnight accommodations for single men until its space is exhausted. When the winter weather contingency plan is activated, the Salvation Army also provides shelter overnight for single men and single women. The Salvation Army and Just Neighbors work together to determine emergency space for families and couples. 

The Salvation Army, Rescue Mission, United Way of Allen County, Park Center, and Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network work collaboratively with the City to provide the response and resources to individuals needing shelter from health-threatening conditions due to weather conditions. 

The winter weather plan agreement took effect in July 2015. As agreed upon by our partner agencies, the City’s warming center is activated because of varied weather situations. Weather factors would include precipitation, forecasted conditions of 10 degrees or below and wind chills of near zero or below.