Catholic Charities opens new family warming center – KXLY Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. — Families in need have another place to sleep now.

A new warming center just opened up near Rising Spokane’s office by Spokane Falls Community College.

It’s not a place that anyone can walk in and get help. It’s an overflow warming center for Family Promise, an organization that helps homeless families.

Families in need will have to go to the organization first. Family Promise has another shelter and if that one is full, they will bus people to the new warming center.

Since it opened right before Christmas, the center has seen families sleeping there every night.

“We’re excited to offer this to the community. We never want to see a child sleep outside in the winter or a man or woman, if possible. We take moms and dads and kids of all ages. So, we’re just happy to be able to provide a safe space and then help those families get back on their feet,” said Dawn Kinder, the vice president of stabilization services for Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington.

Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington re-purposed an old art studio. The place can fit up to 45 people a night. They have a full bathroom, a kitchen and laundry services.

There’s also a room in the back called the “Cry Room” for kids to be in when they can’t sleep.

The center also offers case management everyday to help families get back on their feet.

“A shelter is just a roof over the head. People need more than that to become stably housed. This is a way to engage families so helping them access our services that they’re not here for the long term… Hopefully we don’t see them again, unless, it’s because they want to come back and volunteer,” she said.

This is the last piece of the plan the City of Spokane put out for those experiencing homelessness this winter.

The Cannon Center has been open for several weeks. Women’s Hearth and Hope House extended their hours. Lastly, Truth Ministries added nighttime shelter capacity.

RELATED: $2 million approved for homeless services; here’s how it will be spent

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