SLO: Winter is Here: Volunteer at Prado Warming Station

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12/4/2014 PRADO WARMING STATION 

Each year Prado Day Center in San Luis Obispo opens up as a “Warming Station” to provide overnight accommodations to those homeless individuals and families that would otherwise be outside in the elements.  The Warming Station opens when freezing temperatures and/or more than 3 nights of rain are forecast.

Prado Day Center is looking for volunteers who have a heart for those in need and are willing to donate their time to covering the Warming Station shifts. Please email CAPSLO manager Shawn Ison at sison@capslo.org so that you can get on the distribution list. Later this winter, when they plan to open the Warming Station, you will get an email asking if you’d like to volunteer. Just like with the Homeless Shelter Overflow, no experience is necessary - only compassion for your fellow human beings.

I found a good explanation online for the "Warming Station"  (note that some details may have changed since this was written). The interior of the Prado day center does not change. No beds would be offered. There may be blankets and sleeping bags, but people would have to utilize the interior as is. The accommodations are similar to an 'airport style' of comfort. People can rest in chairs and/or sleeping bags, but no beds will be brought in.

Additional Information

- Warming Station Shifts: 4:30pm-12:00a, 12:00am-8:30am or 4:30pm-8:30am

- Volunteers must complete a volunteer application

- Volunteers must show a photo I.D.

- Volunteers must be willing to be called upon within 24-hours’ notice

Above (click to enlarge): My son Andrew on a backpack with us earlier this year in Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Mountains. Yes, somebody did inscribe "Human Stupidity Has No Limit" into the canyon walls. Yes, this should be considered awful, but we find it clever and funny, and it is a great source for photos. What does this have to do with the Warming Station? Absolutely nothing, but I love photos on text-only postings!

If you can’t volunteer your time, Prado Day Center needs the following items to support the Warming Station:

- Blankets, Pillows, Sleeping Bags

- Disposable plates/bowls/cups/utensils

- Milk, juice, lunchmeat, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, sliced bread

- Coffee/tea, creamer, sugar, snacks- Cup of Noodles/canned soups

Send your email address to Shawn Ison at sison@capslo.org to get on the Warming Station email list. Note that Prado just completed their first "Warming Station" session of the season, starting on Monday 12/1/2014 and ending on Thursday 12/4/2014. I did not participate, as they had already filled all the spots, but the reports are that it went well.

You can read more about the Prado Warming Station in SLO at the HopeDance website by clicking here.

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(PREVIOUS POST) PRADO WARMING STATION 

OPENING WEDS. NIGHT 2/26 THROUGH SAT. NIGHT 3/1/2014

Update 2/27/14: I just got through meeting with Shawn (manager at Prado Day Center) and she gave me some good news: all the shifts for the Warming Station are covered, and dinner for all the nights are covered, too! Awesome - thanks, everyone.

What you can do for this Warming Station session is the following: (1) donate non-perishable food and shelter items listed below; and (2) make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to Prado Day Center. Here's your chance!

Original Post: For those who do not know, Prado Day Center (located at 43 Prado Road in San Luis Obispo) operates a "Warming Station" during the winter when it is forecast to Rain or drop in temperature for consecutive nights. Prado Day Center hosts homeless folks who are not sheltered overnight in the Warming Station (you can read more about the functions of a warming station by clicking on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warming_center).

(source: Tribune newspaper 2/27/2014) The Prado Day Center "Warming Station" in San Luis Obispo will be open to provide shelter to the homeless during the current storm. Volunteers are needed to staff the warming station during the following shifts: 4:30pm to Midnight and Midnight to 8am from now until Saturday 3/1/2014. Prepared meals are needed for 40 people for today, Friday and Saturday. Also needed are donation of plates, bowls, cups, utensils, coffee creamer, juice, cereal, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Donations should be brought to Prado Day Center at 43 Prado Road in SLO. For more information, call (805) 440-6760.

For those of you who want to make a difference, this is your chance to help! Don't just talk about making the world a better place - do something! You have some choices here at the Prado Warming Station tonight thru Saturday: 

(1) donate a meal; 

(2) donate food and shelter items listed above; 

(3) work a shift; 

(4) make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to Prado Day Center. Here's your chance!

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(PREVIOUS POST) Prado Warming Station

Prado Warming Station Seeking Volunteers for Weds. 12/4, Thurs. 12/5 and Friday 12/6/2013: CAPSLO plans on activating the warming station and stay open all night at the

Prado Day Center this coming Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (12-4-13, 12-5-13, and 12-6-13).  I am putting out the word that we need Overnight volunteers and supplies please...?

Supplies Needed for Dinners: Disposable plates/bowls/cups/utensils, milk, juice, lunchmeat, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, sliced  bread, coffee, creamer, sugar, snacks/chips.

Volunteer Shifts for 2 volunteers each night: 4:30pm-12:00a, 12:00am-8:30am or 4:30pm-8:30am

Contact: Dee Torres at dtorres@capslo.org or (805)541-6351 ext. 822

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