How to help your community stay safe and warm when the polar vortex swings back through Chicago on Monday: 1. Know where the nearest warming center is in your area. Click here for a list: pastebin/hEXzwuri 2. It may be difficult to find a listing of homeless shelters that actually have open beds during harsh weather. Many will be running at full capacity. If someone is in great need of a place to sleep, ask if they are willing to let you call 311 so you can ask about available options. 3. If the person says that they would not feel safe going to a warming center (there are any number of reasons that this might be the case), try to be aware of other options such as public libraries, which will likely remain open during the harsh weather. To find the nearest library, click here: chipublib.org/library/locator/ 4. If a person in need says that they would not feel safe going to an overnight shelter, and there are no other safe options, consider putting the person in need on the el train. During the polar vortex, $2.25 could keep someone alive. *It is unlikely that CTA personnel will kick someone off the el during the extreme weather we will be facing on Monday and Tuesday, but if you want to make doubly sure that the person can remain on the train, give them a CTA card with an extra fare on it. Carrying a fare card around with you to help someone in need might be a good idea. 5. Know where to find resources regarding tenants rights during cold weather: pastebin/ZA7JkrKx 6. If you have extra gloves, hats, scarves, or other warm weather gear, consider packing them into a bag and keeping them with you while youre out and about this weekend, or when you are on the move Monday or Tuesday. If you see someone in need, offer them the extra gear. Your extra gloves might save someones fingers from frostbite. 7. Offer to shovel any snow accumulation or run essential errands for people who are too vulnerable to be out in the cold. The elderly, the disabled, and those in compromised health may need some mutual aid during harsh weather. 8. Circulate this information, and any other options or ideas you come across. Remember to look out for each other. Its going to get rough out there. DFSS WARMING CENTERS 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday (DFSS Warming Centers are not open on weekday holidays unless specifically indicated. Hours and days may be extended under extreme conditions. Also, other City facilities might be designated for warming purposes during off hours, That is why it is important to call 3-1-1 for information concerning Warming Center locations, especially during off hours and on weekday holidays) Englewood Center 1140 W. 79th Street Chicago, IL 60620 Garfield Center 10 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL 60612 King Center 4314 S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60653 North Area (Effective December 17th, 2013) 845 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 South Chicago 8650 S. Commercial Ave. Chicago, IL 60617 Trina Davila 4357 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60639 Landlords must heat residential buildings to at least 68 degrees during the day and 66 degrees overnight. If you are unable to resolve a heating problem with your landlord, call 3-1-1.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:29:50 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015