Hamden’s Warming Center Hours Extended Due To Severe Cold Weather

Press release from Town of Hamden:

HAMDEN, CT — Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is directing the state’s severe cold weather protocol to go into effect beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19 and remaining in effect through 12 noon on Friday, Jan. 24.

In response to the state’s severe cold weather protocol activation, Hamden’s Warming Center at the Keefe Community Center Gym will be open extended hours beginning 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 19 through 12 noon on Friday, Jan. 24.

You may always* seek respite from severe weather at the following locations during business hours:

• Hamden Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Avenue, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, (203) 287-7100
• Keefe Community Center, 11 Pine Street, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, (203) 562-5129
• Miller Memorial Library, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Monday & Tuesday 9:30am-8:00pm, Wednesday 12:00pm-5:00pm, Thursday-Saturday 9:30am-5:00pm, (203) 287-2680
• Brundage Community Branch, 91 Circular Avenue, Monday & Tuesday 9:30am-1:00pm & 2:00pm-5:00pm, Wednesday 12:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday 9:30am-1:00pm & 2:00pm-5:00pm, (203) 287-2675
• Whitneyville Branch, 125 Carleton Street, Monday-Wednesday 9:30am-1:00pm & 2:00pm-5:00pm, Thursday 12:00pm-8:00pm, (203) 287-2677
• Hamden Police Department Lobby, 2900 Dixwell Avenue, 24/7, (203) 230-4000

*Town offices and buildings will be closed Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and will reopen Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The Warming Center at Keefe Community Center will remain open.

The Town of Hamden, in partnership with Columbus House, Inc., opened an overnight winter warming center for those experiencing homelessness in our community.

Hamden’s Warming Center is open from Monday, January 6, 2025 to Monday, March 31, 2025 from 7pm to 7am, 7 nights a week. It is stationed at the Keefe Community Center Gym, located at 11 Pine St in Hamden. Please enter through the George Street parking lot, located at 19 George St.

The Warming Center is operated by trained Columbus House staff who monitor overnight shifts and share community outreach information with our guests.

The warming center is not a “shelter”, as no beds will be provided. It will offer a clean, safe, indoor overnight space to protect those in need from harsh weather conditions for those who would likely otherwise spend their nights outdoors. Hamden Police provide walk-throughs on a nightly basis.

Organizations or agencies that are interested in providing dinners and breakfasts are encouraged to contact Columbus House at (203) 401-4400 ext. 138 or by email at sdimario@columbushouse.org.

Residents wishing to contribute to the warming center may do so by donating items such as non-perishable, pre-wrapped snack food items and beverages. Donations of new socks, new underwear, gloves, hats, umbrellas, and rain ponchos are also welcome. Please check the Keefe Community Center Facebook Page for specific items needed.

Donations may be dropped off at the Keefe Community Center between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Donation receipts will be available.

For further information, please contact:

Keefe Community Center at (203) 562-5129

The Columbus House Emergency Services Team at (203) 768-7232

Deputy Chief of Staff, Alexa M. Panayotakis, at (203) 287-7100 or by email at apanayotakis@hamden.com.

This press release was produced by Town of Hamden. The views expressed here are the author’s own.