Downtown warming shelter to open Monday, Tuesday night
For the first time this winter, a downtown Salem warming shelter will be opening its doors Monday and Tuesday night, offering respite for nighttime temperatures forecasted to reach below freezing.
The ARCHES Day Center at 615 Commercial St. N.E. will remain open for adults over 18 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. both Dec. 29 and 30, the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency announced Monday afternoon. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided.
Guests can bring pets and their belongings. Belongings will be checked upon entry, but guests can bring about a purse-sized bag inside and carry any needed medications, said Marie Jennings, development director.
The downtown day center will also provide safe park parking spots for families with minors. They will have access to a parking spot overnight, and can go inside for bathrooms and refreshments.
It will be the only warming shelter location opening in Salem on Monday and Tuesday.
Salem First Presbyterian Church often serves as another winter shelter. Sue Crothers, the warming center coordinator, said their location is “ready to go,” when the time comes, but won’t be opening this Monday or Tuesday. She said that call came from the community action agency, which is expecting a smaller turnout due to the short stint of cold, dry weather that can be entirely accommodated at the day center.
Monday night is expected to reach a low of around 31 degrees, and Tuesday will be frosty with a low of around 30 degrees according to the National Weather Service’s forecast.
Cherriots will be offering free rides to and from the warming shelter, Jennings said. No documentation is needed, riders just need to tell the driver where they’re heading.
Salem’s overnight warming shelters activate when temperatures reach below freezing. This is the first time that the Salem warming network has been activated this year, Jennings said, and they’re still looking for volunteers to help out in the months ahead.
Last winter Salem warming shelters opened 38 nights, according to the action agency.
To learn more, see the agency’s website.
The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency will also be opening warming shelters in Dallas and Woodburn Monday and Tuesday. See their locations here.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
