Montgomery Warming center available to all on cold nights

Christina Thornton's warming center is not like other warming centers.

In most warming centers visitors may find coffee and a few chairs. That’s about it.

Thornton’s three-person staff offers hot meals, showers, free clothes, cots, and sleeping bags, she said.

Thornton is the director of the Emergency Management Agency. She started the Montgomery Crisis Center in the thick of the pandemic, when shelters for homeless people reduced their capacities to quell the spread of COVID.

Since then, the center has become something that people count on. It’s at 3446 Le Bron Rd, a spot that is close to bus stops and centrally located within the city and county, which are both the agency's responsibility.

“It really is amazing, the stories that we’ve gotten, and how it just takes a few minutes for you not locking your door, rolling your window — and I know there’s that danger outside — but when they get to know you, and they see that you’re really trying to help them," Thornton said. "You’re not scoffing or looking down your nose at them, and you’re trying to give them something better, give them a glimmer of hope."

The center takes in people when temperatures are expected to be no higher than 35 degrees at some point in the night. Typically about 40 people stay at the warming center on an average night, but the center has the capacity to safely house more than 100 people.

The doors to the center open at 4 p.m. The staff provides dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., but the workers pack up all the leftovers, just in case someone comes to the shelter after 8 p.m. and needs a hot meal.

Last year, staff members served about 1,200 meals. They also do their best to connect the people they meet with other services they might need. They were open about 40 nights and some days last year.

“It’s all about connections," Thornton said.

At the warming center, there are separate rooms for women, men and families.

Thornton has three major rules a the center: no fighting, no drugs and no alcohol.

“You’ve got to make a choice," Thornton said. "Do you want your drugs, or do you want to be warm tonight and sleep and get a shower and eat and not have to worry about where you’re laying your head tonight?"

When people enter the warming center, the staff searches them for drugs and weapons. People who have drugs do not get arrested, but the staff members do hand off the drugs to the police department.

Thornton's staff works 17-hour days when the center is open.

“Yes, our days and nights definitely run into each other," said Shaye Redden, who also works at the Emergency Management Agency.

Thornton said it would be easier on the staff if she had more volunteers. Ideally, she said she would love to have two volunteers a night.

She also asks that people donate clothing in good condition. People have donated holey underwear before and other items that are not fit for people to wear.

“We’re not wanting anyone who feels the need to come to our shelter to lose their dignity," Thornton said. "We try to be very respectful of everyone coming in."

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or 479-926-9570.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery warming center offers shelter, hot meals on cold nights