‘I appreciate shelters like this’: St. Ben’s warming center keeping people out of cold

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - The cold weather can quickly turn dangerous, and some people do not always have a place to sleep to escape the low temperatures.

Every night from December to the end of March, the St. Ben’s warming center on State and 9th, operated by Capuchin Community Services, provides people with a warm place to sleep.

“When it comes to midnight, 1 a.m., 2 a.m., there is nowhere else to go to stay warm, and so these warming centers really are critical to keep families warm and healthy throughout this winter,” Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy Advisor Ben Weston said.

Weston says more people are using the warming centers every year.

“One of the trends we have seen is an increase,” Weston said. “About a 36% increase, year over year, on use of those warming shelters.”

The St. Ben’s center gives free and hot meals five nights a week, before it converts into a warming center.

Jordan Pope didn’t have a place to stay on Monday night and is staying at the center.

“When you don’t have nowhere to go, it brings love and happiness,” Pope said. “It's a soul thing, and it’s within, and I’m happy to have somewhere to stay warm.”

When temps get down into the teens and single digits, Weston says just 15 to 30 minutes outside can be dangerous.

“This type of cold is tricky, and you never know, you could wake up and not feel your arms, your legs, your fingers,” Pope said. “To have a place to stay and not be in this cold, I appreciate shelters like this.”