The mission of the Warming Center program is simple and direct: To insure safety and consistency for the children of God we serve, and for the volunteers, as well.
Guests are given a warm and safe place to spend the night. Emphasis is placed on safety. Contraband and other dangerous materials are separated from the guests every night through intake and security procedures. The church fellowship hall and rest facilities are kept warm and cheery and guests are provided with blankets and pillows and small amounts of hygiene items. The ill are cared for in appropriate ways.
Guests are provided a wholesome and nourishing evening meal through the efforts of our volunteers. In the morning, guests are given a breakfast of cereals, rolls and fruit with coffee and juice. On Sunday morning they are fed a hot breakfast. As they leave in the morning, they are offered a sack lunch to take with them so there is no need for them to feel hungry at any time during the day.
Guests are greeted warmly and treated in a Christ-like manner. Guests and workers alike wear nametags and people are called by name recognizing the dignity all deserve as God’s children.
As noted above, the key ingredient in our service to our guests is our wonderful body of volunteers. Every year we have 95-100 volunteers that work in the Warming Center for our assigned week. They work in the areas of food preparation and serving, guest intake and security, overnight hosting and cleaning.
Many more people provide financial assistance to support the program and all support the program with prayer. There is no need to be a member of Utica UMC to participate in this mission/ministry. All adults with a heart called by the Holy Spirit to minister to the homeless can participate in some way!
The Warming Center leader at Utica UMC is Ronald Borgacz. He may be reached through the Church Office.
