With wind chills expected to drop below zero across Delaware Wednesday night into Thursday morning, volunteer-organized and staffed Code Purple locations are opening across the state.
Code Purple sites in all three counties typically are located at houses of worship and community centers. The sites provide safe, warm and short-term housing and hot meals to individuals and families who are homeless when winter-weather conditions – low temperatures, gusty winds, low wind chills, or heavy snow – make it difficult for anyone to be outside for extended periods. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for all three counties from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 9 a.m. Thursday. Temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits, with winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, and wind chills as low as 10 below zero.
“We are grateful to the many volunteers across our state who are there to open the doors to our neighbors in need,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “With dangerous temperatures and wind chills predicted tonight, I urge Delawareans who see people out who don’t appear to have a place to go to call 9-1-1, so police can help get them to a safe location.”
Since Code Purple sites use volunteers to manage operations, the activation and implementation vary by county and site. To be connected to Code Purple resources, call Delaware 2-1-1, search for “Code Purple” on the Delaware 2-1-1 mobile app or on its website at www.delaware211.org.
“The Code Purple sites are supported by a host of caring volunteers who work to provide a warm and friendly night-time haven during dangerous weather conditions for Delawareans who are homeless,”
Delaware 2-1-1 Director Donna Snyder White said. “Delaware 2-1-1 is honored to support these volunteers and their sites as they support our neighbors in need.”
Locations include:
New Castle County: The lead agency for Code Purple in New Castle County is Friendship House, which operates two Code Purple winter sanctuary programs – one in Wilmington and the other in Newark at the Newark Empowerment Center. The Wilmington program is done in collaboration with the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army has called a Code Purple in Wilmington through Friday, Jan. 9. The schedule:
- 2:30-8:30 p.m.: Friendship House winter sanctuary, 720 N. Orange St., Wilmington. Hot beverages, restrooms and light supper.
- 9 p.m.-6 a.m.: Salvation Army overnight shelter, Fifth and Orange streets, Wilmington.
- 5:30-8 a.m.: Friendship House early morning winter sanctuary, 226 N. Walnut St., Wilmington.
For more information about Code Purple nights in New Castle County, call Bill Perkins at 302-559-5716.
Newark: Code Purple is in effect in Newark through Saturday night, operating from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in church space provided by eight different Newark faith communities on a rotating basis. Space in most places is limited to one or at most two rooms and can accommodate no more than 25 guests who are homeless. People in need are encouraged to pre-register from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Newark Empowerment Center, 69 E. Main St., Newark.
Kent County: Code Purple is in effect through Friday, Jan. 9. Morning leave time is 7 a.m. for each day listed. Sanctuaries will be closed as of Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7 a.m. unless further noticed. Call 1-800-733-6816 for any further updates this week. The schedule and locations:
Wednesday, Jan. 7
- Dover Presbyterian Church (men only), opens at 5 p.m. Note: Overflow to Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing.
- Wesley United Methodist Church (women and children) opens at 5 p.m.
- Milford Community Center (women and children only), opens at 5 p.m., direct line 302-725-0770.
Thursday, Jan. 8
- Dover Presbyterian Church (men only), opens at 5 p.m. Note: Overflow to Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing.
- Wesley United Methodist Church (women and children only), opens at 5p.m.
- Wyoming Methodist Church (women and children only), opens at 6 p.m.
- Milford Community Center (women and children), opens at 5 p.m., direct line 302-725-0770.
Friday, Jan. 9
- Dover Presbyterian Church (men only), opens at 5 p.m. Note: Overflow to Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing.
- Shepherd’s Place (women and children only), opens at 5 p.m.
- Wyoming Methodist Church (women and children only), opens at 6 p.m.
- Milford Community Center (women and children), opens at 5 p.m., direct line 302-725-0770.
Addresses for the sanctuaries:
- Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, 684 Forest St., Dover. 302-736-3600.
- Dover Presbyterian Church, 54 S, State St., Dover (entrance is on Reed Street).
- Milford Community Center, 105 NE Front St., Milford.
- Shepherd’s Place, 1362 S Governor’s Ave., Dover.
- Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State St., Dover (building behind the church on East North Street with purple lights in the window).
- Wyoming United Methodist Church, 216 Wyoming Mill Road, Dover.
