By Kathy Feist
Today’s high will be 8 degree with continuous snow. It’s difficult to stay warm under those conditions.
Thankfully there are several options available to help those in need of warmth.
Community Centers
Most community centers throughout the metropolitan area offer their facilities for daytime warming (see list below). Most offer a place to hang out, charge phones, or watch television.
Marlborough Community Center reports that they have as many as two to 12 people at any given time for warming purposes. The community center, which sits at a bus stop, gives passengers waiting for the bus a place to stay warm. Passengers who ride the bus for the purpose of staying warm can use Marlborough as a stop.
Southeast Community Center, at 63rd and Swope, is serving as a warming center even though it is without power. Last week thieves stole copper wire from its electrical box. The center had been running on a backup generator, which works only some of the time, according to Brad Clay, Deputy Director of Kansas City Parks and Recreation. “Our generator keeps tripping,” he says. “If techs can’t get it to stay on, we may have to close temporarily.” Call (816) 513-0632 for updates.
Hillcrest Community Center, 104th & Hillcrest Road, reports very participation this year for warming services. The center is hidden in a picturesque wooded area away from heavy traffic. The center has television, outlets for charging, and a computer room for public use.
Clay says while there are some people taking advantage of the community centers for warming purposes, most are there for activities today. Last year, all of Kansas City’s community centers received updated workout equipment and other improvements. “For those who think it’s not bad enough outside, they are using open gym,” he says. “They are activity centers….a great place to take the kids.”
Use of the gym requires a $5/day pass; $3 for seniors. The warming center, usually a designated area, are free of charge.
Libraries
People often utilize libraries for warming centers, and the Mid-Continent Public Libraries are happy to oblige. “All our branches are warming centers,” says Emily Becker, spokesperson for Mid-Continent Libraries. “People can come here and read a good book, use a computer, and get warmed up.”
Additionally, Becker says staff can help those people find 24-hour warming centers.
Most libraries are open from 9am to 9pm, but Becker says they should check hours first before heading to a library in case they close early. (On February 18, the library branches will close at 6 pm.)
For those stranded at home with warmth, Becker encourages use of the library’s online eBooks, audio books and free streaming services on their GoDigital site. The site is especially beneficial to families dealing with children home from school.
All branches of the Kansas City Public Library, which includes Waldo, are closed due to inclement weather.
Emergency Shelters for the unhoused
For the third year in a row, Kansas City is providing a network of low barrier emergency shelters for the unhoused community. There are nine locations across the metro, with a total of 400 city funded beds. Anyone who wants to access services should begin at the Navigation Center, which is located at Hope Faith Homelessness Assistance Campus (705 Virginia Ave.). The Navigation Center determines where specific locations and services are available for individual needs. These services can include inpatient treatment, vital document assistance, low-income housing, transitional living, and other services. Call a hotline at 816-513-3699 for more information.
• Hillcrest Community Center
10401 Hillcrest Rd., 816-784-7000
Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Marlborough Community Center
8200 The Paseo Blvd., 816-784-3100
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
• Southeast Community Center
4201 E. 63rd St., 816-513-0632
Monday-Thursday: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday/ Sunday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Salvation Army Prospect
6025 Prospect 816-753-6040
(hot coffee, breakfast lunch)
6 am to 4 pm
• Cleaver Family YMCA
7000 Troost Ave., 816-285-9622
(Call for hours)
• Shelter KC
1520 Cherry St., 816-421-7643
• City Union Mission
1100 E. 11th St., 816-474-9380
• Garrison Community Center
1124 E. 5th St., 816-784-1140
• Gregg/Klice Community Center
1600 John “Buck” O’Neil Way, 816-513-0652
• Westport Roanoke Community Center
3601 Roanoke Rd., 816-784-5200
• Cleaver Family YMCA
7000 Troost Ave., 816-285-9622
• Guadalupe Center
1015 Avenida Cesar Chavez, 816-421-1015
• Brush Creek Community Center
3801 Emanuel Cleaver |I Blvd., 816-513-0730
• Tony Aguirre Community Center
2050 Pennway St., 816-513-8530
• Linwood YMCA
3800 Linwood BIvd., 816-923-5676
•Willa Gill Services Center (645 Nebraska Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101).
913-725-0079
•Salvation Army: 420 East Santa Fe Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061
913-782-3640
•Project 10/20: 9400 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215
913-219-3347
Other resources
KC Metro Homeless Hotline: 816-474-4599
Johnson County Mental Health Crisis Line: 913-268-0156
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