Warming Center opened—and closed—in Sebastopol
Center opened in response to near-freezing nighttime temperatures over the weekend
The City of Sebastopol opened a warming center at the Community Cultural Center this weekend as nighttime temperatures dipped into the low 30s. The city opened the center at 6 pm on Saturday evening, with just one hour notice. Despite the short timeframe, several people found their way to the warming center thanks in part to the Sebastopol Police and workers from SAVS who combed the community and the trails for local homeless folks who might be at risk from the cold. The hours of the center were from 6 pm to 8 am.
Mayor Diana Rich, who has been the point person from the city on this issue, sent this report yesterday afternoon.
Regarding the first night at the warming center, Rich wrote, “It was a bit of a scramble as we tracked the weather and the news from the County, but as the day progressed on Saturday, weather predictions remained threatening, prompting us to make a final decision at 5 pm, an hour before doors opened. With this incredibly short notice, we had no idea if the word would get out and anyone would show up. We had a surprising 11 people who came to the door seeking shelter, more than we had on any one night when we last opened a warming center, in December 2022. Seven who came on Saturday night stayed over to sleep. Four were there briefly for a bit of warmth, food, beverages, and the blankets Kadyn Schumann's team made available. Sad reality: Six of the 11 were 60 or older, with four aged 70 or older, including one 75 year old. We had three women, all 60 or older (60, 70, 70).”
Seven people showed up on Sunday night.
The warming center was staffed by FS Global, an emergency management company from Sebastopol. FS Global CEO Kadyn Schumann and his team set up cots and passed out blankets, while community volunteers delivered food. On Sunday night, Mary Radu delivered Mombo’s pizza for 25, and Rich brought boxes of steaming Starbucks coffee. In addition, Lupe Catalan, a field rep from Lynda Hopkins office, was on hand as a volunteer, helping to disinfact the cots and help with whatever was needed, as was Arthur George, chair of West County Homeless Advocates.
Schumann, who says his company specializes in “emergency logistics,” began doing emergency management back in 2015, during the earthquake in Nepal. His company now works with the county and other local agencies.
As of last night, Sebastopol was the only city to open a designated warming center, though shelters in Petaluma and Guerneville, expanded their number of shelter beds.
The warming center program in Sebastopol was funded with $8,000 from the city, plus a promised $10,000 more from Lynda Hopkins office. Rich said the city was trying to hold the cost of the warming center to $1,000 a night, in hopes of being able to stretch that $18,000 to cover multiple incidents over the year.
At the time of this posting, it was unclear whether the center would open again this week, when temperatures are expected to dip again.
I have camped with a decent sleeping bag, a tent, lots of cloths where the temperature reached the low of 42. I think these centers should be opened when the temperatures go lower than 45. Also I hope that one of the volunteers was a representative of aid sources that could answer any questions the people had. 75 years old is way to old to sleep in the rough. (I haven't camped in years and it was for pleasure with plenty of food etc.)