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Fort Wayne Winter Contingency/Emergency Shelter Plan active

(Photo Supplied/National Weather Service)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (City Press Release): Mayor Tom Henry today announced the City of Fort Wayne’s winter weather plan is in place and all City government departments and outside partner agencies are responding accordingly to deal with the bitter cold temperatures that are impacting the community.

“I’m calling on everyone in Fort Wayne to use caution and be careful,” said Mayor Henry. “Please check on family, friends and neighbors to ensure our City remains as safe as possible in these dangerous weather conditions.”

Providing shelter to those in need is a top priority.

The Rescue Mission provides overnight shelter for homeless men, Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network provides overnight space for homeless families, and Christian Praise and Fellowship Church provides overnight accommodations for homeless single women.

The Rescue Mission also serves as the lead provider of a warming shelter for people of all ages in Fort Wayne.

In addition, the Rescue Mission also oversees the intake of all individuals and families in need of shelter. Anyone in need of shelter needs to first start at the Rescue Mission and not go directly to the other organizations providing help.

Due to the weather, Red River will not collect garbage and recycling materials on Wednesday. Collections will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week beginning tomorrow. Wednesday collection will be on Thursday. Thursday collection will be on Friday. Friday collection will be on Saturday. We will continue to evaluate the weather situation. If there are changes to this schedule, we will notify the public.

Fort Wayne’s Winter Contingency/Emergency Shelter Plan is a partnership between the City of Fort Wayne, the Rescue Mission, Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network, Christian Praise and Fellowship Church, the Salvation Army, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department, Park Center, the 211 Resource Center, operated by United Way of Allen County, and Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana.

Highlights of the Winter Contingency/Emergency Shelter Plan:
Partner Agencies agree to:

Primary Provider – Services commencing at 40 Degrees

The Rescue Mission is the primary provider for the program offering shelter and food to individuals needing assistance. Overnight accommodations are provided at the Mission for adult men. The Rescue Mission will request assistance of plan partners as needed to provide safe and comprehensive shelter.

Secondary Provider – Services commencing at 32 Degrees

Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network provides overnight shelter for families with children as space allows. When families arrive at the Rescue Mission requesting shelter, and no one appears to be under the influence, staff will contact Just Neighbors to arrange for emergency accommodations. Just Neighbors will not be able to provide transportation to their facility.

Secondary Provider – Services commencing at 20 Degrees

Christian Praise and Fellowship Church provides overnight shelter for single women. When an individual arrives at the Rescue Mission requesting shelter, staff will contact Christian Praise and Fellowship Church to arrange for emergency accommodations.

Secondary Provider – Services commencing at 10 Degrees

When the temperature drops below 10 degrees, The Salvation Army will serve as a backup provider of overnight accommodations to men, women and children when requested to do so by the Rescue Mission. The Rescue Mission will provide transportation for clients to the Salvation Army as needed.

Secondary Provider – Services commencing at 10 Degrees

When the temperature drops below 10 degrees, The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department, a division of the City of Fort Wayne, will serve as a backup provider of daytime warming centers for men, women and children when requested to do so by the Rescue Mission. The Rescue Mission will provide transportation for clients to the designated warming centers as needed.

Technical Services Provider – Services commencing on an on-call basis

Park Center will provide Outreach Team members to help connect clients to services. Any of the partner agencies may contact the Park Center outreach staff directly to request assistance.

Communication Provider – 211 Resource Center, operated by United Way of Allen County will direct those in need on how to access services provided by the plan.

Financial Considerations – If our community experiences a difficult winter with severe weather, the City of Fort Wayne reserves the right to have the flexibility to possibly provide financial resources that would assist program partners with staffing of facilities on an as-needed basis.

Logistics – The Rescue Mission will serve as the point of entry for all clients and that intake may be in-person at the Rescue Mission or by phoning Rescue Mission staff for instructions.

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