Bozeman’s Warming Center Providing a safe, warm place to stay

During the fall of 2010, members of the Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition (GGHAC) created a Warming Center Committee to take a look at a short-term immediate response to the need for a safe and warm place for homeless men, women, and families.

Since then, in partnership with Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), Bozeman’s Warming Center has provided seasonal shelter to anyone in need thanks to a group of volunteers who work year round to raise funds and donate their time, energy, and talents to get the shelter up and running each season.

In addition to creating a solution to homelessness in the Greater Gallatin Valley, GGHAC holds monthly meetings at the Salvation Army on the second Thursday of every month to from 11: 30 am to 1 pm to discuss funding opportunities and event planning for Project Homeless Connect and the Homeless Veteran Stand Down.
Last year more than 170 people, varying in age from toddlers to senior citizens stayed at the Warming Center.  On most winter nights there were 30-40 people who sought shelter from Montana’s cold winter nights.

The Warming Center is located at 2104 Industrial Dive and is now open from 7am-7pm and is offering free showers on Monday (10am- 2pm), Thursday (10am-2pm), and Saturday (9am-2pm). Each guest gets 20 minutes, including eight minutes with the water running. And they are expected to clean the shower when they are done.

The Warming Center Showers are a collaboration of ten community partners:
    •    Alcohol & Drug Services of Gallatin County
    •    Community Health Partners
    •    Gallatin Mental Health Center
    •    Help Center
    •    HRDC
    •    St. James Episcopal
    •    United Methodist Church
    •    Two individual community members
    •    7th Day Adventist

The Warming Center is in need of volunteers to assist staff during operating hours, cleaning and maintaining the facility, laundry services, and more.
For information about making a donation to keep the doors open throughout the winter season and/or volunteering at the Warming Center visit:  thehrdc.org.