SOS will take over running of Willand Drive extreme weather warming center

Willand Drive winter warming shelter (Courtesy photo)

SOMERSWORTH - SOS Recovery has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Strafford County for operations of the Willand Drive Emergency Warming Center, in Somersworth, from Nov. 25 to March 31.

The Warming Center will be opened when weather conditions warrant the opening. SOS Recovery has worked with and collaborated with Dr. Tory Jennison and the Tri-City Mayors and Emergency Management Directors on the conditions in which the Warming Center will be opened. A minimum 24-hour notice will be delivered before each activation, longer when possible.

SOS Recovery has made projections based on the last few years of weather patterns that it's expected to be open 70-90 nights during the cold weather season.

This is not intended as a seasonal shelter and although everyone involved recognizes the need for other housing options, a seasonal shelter can result in barriers that might make access impossible for those who need the low-barrier approach of this model.

SOS will be conducting at least three volunteer orientation trainings at the Warming Center between now and Nov. 25. Organizers are asking that if you wish to volunteer that you please start the process online.

In an effort to maintain safety and be conscious of public health SOS will be requiring a variety of vaccinations including COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots for volunteers.

In order to work within the Warming Center as a volunteer SOS will utilize the same requirements as those of Greater Seacoast Community Health, the parent organization. All staff, volunteers, and participants will be required to mask while inside the Warming Center.

SOS will be hiring a Warming Center Manager for a full-time position throughout the season as well as a Warming Center Supervisor and two part-time Warming Center coordinators.

SOS has a need to hire six to ten "per-diem" Warming Center coordinators. If you are interested in working in any paid staff positions, please send an email and resume to John Burns at John@sosrco.org. Paid "per-diem" Warming Center coordinators will be able to work anywhere from four to twelve-hour shifts between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.

When activated, the Warming Center will open at 4 p.m. to staff and 5 p.m. for participants and will remain open until 9am for participants with one hour of closing and clean up from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. each morning.

SOS will be utilizing a van and another from the City of Dover to supplement COAST bus transportation from the center each morning.

It will be essential that we have a number of volunteers throughout every shift of each eighteen-hour overnight activations every night the center is open to help staff it so that SOS can maintain adequate coverage.

The focus will rely heavily on coordinating care for individuals utilizing the center in an effort to identify permanent housing solutions and meet basic life needs including medical care, mental health support, and substance use treatment, and recovery support.

SOS will be inviting agencies that work in the region to a meeting to assist with coordinating efforts on Monday, November 14th, and will send invites out.

SOS will be partnering with a number of agencies, including Red's Good Vibes who will be helping with some of the food provisions. SOS will offer training for volunteers and staff for serv-safe certifications for individuals interested in helping out with food.