December 23, 2022
It’s colder today than it’s been in Louisville since 1994, which means it’s extraordinarily dangerous for people who are unsheltered.
As many of us have been grocery shopping in anticipation of the winter storm or for our holiday celebrations, outreach and shelter workers have been working tirelessly to get unhoused people indoors quickly. The city government, homeless services providers, and grassroots groups have been coordinating all week to expand shelter options, coordinate transportation, and minimize barriers to shelter in anticipation of the dangerous weather. Please follow and support the efforts of so many Louisville outreach groups; we are sharing resources as we see them on our Facebook and Instagram stories.
The city is also under a White Flag advisory through the weekend, when three partner shelters open their doors past normal capacity to make sure there’s a warm place for the duration of the extreme temperatures:
- Salvation Army Center of Hope (day): 911 South Brook St., (502) 671-4904
- St. Vincent de Paul Center (men): 1034 South Jackson St., (502) 584-2480, ext. 224
- Wayside Christian Mission (pets accepted): 432 East Jefferson St., (502) 742-7019
TARC is providing free rides to shelter during White Flag. St. John Center (700 E Muhammad Ali Blvd) is also open today until 4pm and Saturday/Sunday from 8am to 2pm. And Voices 4 Truth Warming Center has also temporarily opened at 5507 Valley Station Rd. (502-609-6571); they will transport people to Grace Church (6901 Mt. Calvary Drive) for overnight stays.
In addition to these, Goodwill has opened a temporary pop-up shelter at Broadbent Arena (at the Louisville Fairgrounds) through Monday, 12/26, with capacity for about 100 people. Enter Gate 4, go to lot J, and enter through door B1. Meals, showers, toiletries, and snacks will be provided.Goodwill is seeking volunteers with homeless services and/or residential settings to help; sign up and get info here.
No one should have to sleep on our streets at any point during the year, but it’s perhaps most obvious during treacherous winter weather. It is critical that we permanently increase both our emergency shelter and affordable housing here in Louisville so we can avoid these crises before they begin.
Did we miss an important resource? Email Catherine so we can share on social media.