DuPagePads Responds to Frigid Temperatures
When temperatures dip into the single digits, our top priority is the safety of the people we serve who are homeless.
Waiting for public transportation in the extreme cold and snow is dangerous, especially for children, but there are ways you can help.
Committed to the safety of our program participants, DuPagePads implements the following policies and practices during severe winter weather advisories:
- Warm Clothing:
- DuPagePads staff ensures everyone has warm coats, hats, gloves and even supplies hand and feet warmers.
- Open Sites:
- All individuals are admitted at the Interim (Overnight) Housing sites despite the capacity limits set by the fire department.
- Many of our overnight sites generously extend their hours to ensure the safety of our clients.
View updates to the Interim (Overnight) Housing site hours.
- Extended Hours:
- Families and individuals are transported between the Client Service Center in Wheaton, which remains open until 3:00pm and the shelter sites which open early.
- Warming Centers:
- Our Client Service Center, open Monday through Friday, becomes a warming center when the wind chill temperatures are 10 degrees or below 7:30am to 3:00pm.
- Additional warming sites are available throughout the county and can be found here: http://dupagecris.org/.
Ways that YOU can make a difference
1. Share the Fare:
Consider donating to our Share the Fare program. DuPagePads is committed to finding solutions to ensure that transportation barriers do not prohibit individuals from receiving shelter, food and support services.
Every contribution goes a long way in providing the transportation people need to stay safe and achieve their full potential. In addition to transporting clients from overnight sites to our Client Service Center in extreme weather, this program also assists our clients by transporting them to and from:
- Job interviews and employment
- Hospitals for urgent health concerns
- Doctor’s appointments and
- Classes at our Career Employment Solutions building
2. Street Outreach:
Report any homeless individuals or families you observe in our community by calling our Street Outreach p
hone number at 682.3846 ext. 2275.
DuPagePads Street Outreach team travels throughout the county to assist people experiencing homelessness through providing information about resources, critical supplies and follow-up support.
3. Volunteer Once a Month (or More)!
DuPagePads Interim (Overnight) Housing Sites are always looking for Overnight Site Monitor volunteers to help once a month for 3 or 4 hours. There are various shifts from 8:30pm-5:30am.
Learn about being a Site Monitor.
To volunteer contact Josie Mattern, DuPagePads Volunteer Coordinator at jmattern@dupagepads.org or see all Volunteer Opportunities.