Clients search for jobs and homes as warming center shutdown nears

Anthony Branciforte, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·3 min read

Mar. 12—The Cornerstone Foundation's 10-bed warming center that opened in January has helped 27 homeless people find refuge from freezing temperatures this winter, according to Bryan Flint Sr., deputy director of the faith-based Vernon nonprofit.

But as public funding is set to end and force the program located in the north end of Manchester to close by the end of the month, Cornerstone officials say they are now focused on helping those who used the facility find other options.

WARMING CENTER CLOSING

WHEN: March 31

WHY: Funding set to expire

PEOPLE SERVED: 27 this winter

Cornerstone operates three shelters, a soup kitchen, clothing bank, and a food pantry in Vernon, but opened the Manchester warming center at the Community Y on 78 N. Main St. this winter after Hartford's warming center — the only overnight facility of its kind in the region — had to reduce its capacity to allow for social distancing. Flint said about 40% of the people who stay in the Hartford warming center are from surrounding suburbs, and Cornerstone wanted to fill a void by opening a similar facility outside of the capital city.

While the warming center in Manchester has served its purpose this winter, officials are concerned that people who have been staying there might have no other refuge when it is forced to close.

"My biggest concern is it's still cold in April, and unfortunately with not having enough shelter beds for everybody we will have to discharge some people back into homelessness, which is heartbreaking," Jennifer Kirchmeier, Cornerstone's case manager, said.

Flint said he picks up many of those staying overnight at the Manchester warming center when it closes each morning and drives them to Cornerstone's community center in Vernon, where they can shower, do laundry, and stay out of the cold.

"They have a safe place to go during the day," Flint said, and staff there work on their cases as Cornerstone's priority is to help homeless people find jobs and housing.

One man who has been staying at the warming center for about a month and visiting the community center during the day spoke to the Journal Inquirer about his experience. Marty would identify himself only by his first name because at age 61 he is seeking employment. He lost his job about a year ago and is experiencing homelessness for the first time, he said.

"They took me in and that was it," he said, referring to Cornerstone. "I had no idea what to do; it's my first time being like this."

Marty said Flint found him a bed at one of Cornerstone's shelters in Vernon so he will have a place to stay after the warming center closes, but he added that he is looking for a long-term solution.

"All I want is a job," he said, adding that Cornerstone staff has been "pointing (him) in the right direction," but the process has been "frustrating." Thus far, he has been unable to find work that would allow him to put a roof over his head or food on the table.

"Everybody's getting nervous" at the warming center, he said, as they seek a way to stay safe after the center closes.

Flint said he has been working to find landlords and local businesses that are willing to provide jobs and affordable housing.

Kirchmeier said the process sometimes can be difficult for those who have limited work history or poor rental history, but Cornerstone staff can act as their "character witnesses" and testify that they are capable of working hard.

Despite Cornerstone's strategies and resources, Flint said the situation is urgent.

And the ongoing pandemic where many jobs were lost hasn't helped.

"Homelessness affects people year-round," he said. "If we don't have solutions by March 31, a lot of them might be returning to the streets."

For updates and coverage of Vernon and Stafford, follow Anthony Branciforte on Twitter: @ABranciforte_JI, Facebook: Reporter Anthony Branciforte, and Instagram: @JI_Anthony1.