Ge Zhang
published November 2008

Just as evening temperatures have started to plummet and the shelters continue to ill up with people, the Hypothermia Sanctuary has opened at Mathewson Street Church. 
Frank Coowinham, a member of the Homeless People’s Action Committee (HPAC), explained that, in contrast to other shelters, “the Hypothermia Sanctuary is just for emergencies.” The Hypothermia Sanctuary is open to everyone, but Coowinham said that people currently sleeping outside or under bridges are the ones that the Sanctuary exists to serve in particular. When Providence-area shelters like Providence Rescue Mission, Urban League, Harrington Hall (“Overflow”) and the women’s shelter at Crossroads RI are full, people are referred to the Hypothermia Sanctuary.

Hypothermia Sanctuary is located at the Mathewson Church, 134 Mathewson Street. It can house 40 people at most.

The major function of Hypothermia Sanctuary is to offer a short-term accommodation --usually up to one or two days  -- when the temperature falls below 40 degrees or during inclement weather. 

The Hypothermia Sanctuary needs more volunteers. Currently, the volunteers are HPAC members, some current and formerly homeless people, and students from Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE). The volunteers’ duties include helping people sign in, watching over and occasionally escorting people outside to smoke. In order to insure client safety, volunteers will need to receive some first aid training.

When the weather gets too cold, the committee hopes to extend the Sanctuary’s operating hours. During blizzards, the committee hopes to keep the Sanctuary open all day.  The committee is also trying to prepare food, but is facing a shortage of donated food. “Right now, we are looking for grants and donations, including blankets, mats, food and a coffee pot,” Coowinham said.

Most important, the mission of the Hypothermia Sanctuary is “to provide a safe and warm place for homeless people to get out of the cold.  “Nobody is going to die on the street,” said Coowinham.

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