The Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) is set to open a Warming Center on Monday that will offer warmth, food and services to the homeless.
The Warming Center will be open six days a week.
The center was established as the city takes steps to abate a growing homeless encampment located across the street from GRIP, at 22nd Street and Carlson Boulevard.
On March 5, dozens of people living in there were given notice to vacate, as city officials say the encampment has become a public health and safety hazard and a drain on city resources. Their eviction was postponed, however, to wait for GRIP to open its new warming center.
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“This is a valuable addition needed to support the many homeless residents in the West County area,” according to GRIP. “While this does not solve the homeless crisis it does bring people in out of the cold and unpredictable weather conditions that have plagued our area in the recent months. Referrals will come through the CORE team who can be reached by calling 211.”
The new warming center was made possible by a grant from the Contra Contra Costa County Homeless Services and The Mayors Fund from the Richmond Community Foundation.
GRIP is a multi-cultural coalition with 41 member organizations/congregations working together to address critical issues of human dignity and social justice.
