Volunteer Opportunity Overnight Warming Center for the Homeless Community

Overnight Warming Center Seeks Volunteers

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb (UUCD) is seeking community
volunteers to help run its Overnight Warming Center (OWC) which will re-open on
January 3, 2026 for its third continual year of operations. Volunteers will receive training
and then be asked to sign up for 4 hour shifts from 5pm to 9pm, 9pm to 1am, 1am to
5am, and 5am to 8:30am each night through March 15, 2026. Those who wish to
volunteer for shifts at the center or provide meals can email
uucdwarmingcenter@gmail.com.

The OWC is located at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb at 158 North
4th Street. The mission of the center is to provide a safe, warm, and welcoming
overnight haven for individuals and families who are unhoused and lacking adequate
heat, and providing a sense of belonging. Neighbors who are food insecure may also
stop by for a meal without staying the night. Last year alone, 87 individuals received
services, amounting to 1112 meals and overnight stays total.

In January 2024, the UUCD Board approved opening a free Overnight Warming Center
in response to a proposal from Marreen Buntaine, Director of the Community
Empowerment Campaign, and Dan Kenney, a member of the congregation. Since then,
the OWC has offered services to unhoused individuals and those without adequate
heating during the coldest nights of the year.

This year, the UUCD Board of Trustees has implemented a more formal structure of
volunteer leadership with a team of five dedicated co-managers, who have worked
tirelessly to improve center operations in preparation for this year’s opening. These
developments include more coordination with local agencies, while staying with the core
mission of providing warmth, nutrition, and rest to those who need it.

“With recent cuts to federal and local assistance programs such as SNAP and an ever
rising cost of living, we expect there to be a significant increase in the need for our
services this year. It is at the core of our belief system to serve all those who may need
us, regardless of their background or circumstances,” says UUCD Board President Dan Kenney.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb is an open and affirming liberal faith
community. Its mission is to put liberal faith into action, striving to nurture families and
spiritual lives, protect the Earth, eliminate poverty, and stop oppression – while offering
love and hope for all. It is a 503(c) organization. More information can be found at
www.uudekalb.org.