👥 Who: One Hopeful Place, Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless, and individuals experiencing homelessness
🏠 What: Emergency cold weather shelter operations and transportation assistance
📅 When: January 29 through February 2 (South County) and January 29 through February 1 (North County)
📍 Where: Fort Walton Beach (One Hopeful Place) and Crestview (Crestview Area Shelter)
❄️ Why: To protect vulnerable residents from dangerous cold temperatures and overnight exposure
Cold weather shelter operations are expanding across Okaloosa County as multiple emergency warming sites open their doors to protect vulnerable residents from dangerously low overnight temperatures.
In South County, One Hopeful Place in Fort Walton Beach has opened nightly shelter services beginning Thursday, January 29, and will remain open through Monday night, February 2. The shelter is located at 1564 N. Beal Extension and can be reached at 850-586-7879. Services are available to individuals 18 years and older seeking safe overnight accommodations.
Transportation assistance is also being provided. A pickup stop will be available at 205 Shell Avenue each day at 3:30 p.m. from January 29 through February 2. Participants will be transported to One Hopeful Place, with return transportation scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, at 10 a.m. Riders may retrieve secured belongings at that time.
Officials note that space on the transportation bus is limited. Only backpacks and essential personal items are permitted. Wagons, suitcases, and bicycles are not allowed on board, though staff will be present at the pickup location to assist participants with securing their bikes and belongings.
Meanwhile, Generations Church in South County is not currently operating as a shelter location during this cold-weather activation.
In North County, the Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless is also opening its doors. The shelter, located at 120 Duggan Avenue in Crestview, will operate from Thursday, January 29, through Sunday, February 1, with doors opening nightly at 6 p.m. The shelter can be reached at 850-398-5670.
Local agencies urge anyone experiencing homelessness or unsafe living conditions during the cold snap to take advantage of available shelter resources. Officials emphasize that even brief exposure to freezing temperatures can be dangerous, particularly for seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Residents are encouraged to share shelter information with neighbors, family members, and community members who may need assistance during the cold weather event.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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