Emergency Shelter Initiative

Last winter, as temperatures in St. Louis dropped to 0°F, WLCDC stepped up to meet a growing crisis in the Wellston Loop area. With few warming centers available and very little time to prepare, our team, along with dedicated volunteers and partner organizations, provided emergency shelter and meals to an average of 22 individuals each night. On the coldest days, we operated 24/7 to ensure that no one was left out in the cold.

These extreme conditions brought immense challenges: food insecurity, frostbite and weather-related injuries, and mental health and substance use struggles. Our shelter remained low-barrier and accessible, offering more than just a warm place to sleep. We provided essential supplies, wound care and frostbite treatment, and connections to recovery services, all aimed at helping people survive the night and begin a path toward stability.

This year, we are asking for your support as we prepare for the winter ahead. Our goal is twofold: to secure critical supplies for emergency shelter operations and to fund major renovations to our current WLCDC Drop-In Center. With your help, we can expand our bed capacity and continue to add essential amenities like showers, giving more individuals dignity, safety, and care when it is needed most.

Together, we can make sure no one is left out in the cold.