About Out of the Cold
Out of the Cold: Centre County is a low-barrier shelter open from 8 am to 8 pm every day and our night shelter is open from 8 pm to 8 am every night to registered guests. During the 2022-2023 season, 17 congregations helped to provide overnight shelter for 175 guests.
While churches used to host out guests by opening the doors of their buildings to us, they now "host" by taking 2 weeks at a time to say that their congregation will provide meals and other necessities! We are so thankful for the community that supports our guests and staff. Out of the Cold: Centre County is a grassroots effort and is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. If you would like to help as a volunteer or through other means of support, please send us an e-mail at: [email protected] Out Of The Cold Board of DirectorsOversight for Out Of The Cold is provided by the Board of Directors. Each participating Congregation has one voting member on the Board. We also have several commitees that community members can join. There are financial, fundraising/events, and marketing committees. If you are interested in serving on this committees, please reach out to Board Chair Kendra Gettig at [email protected].
|
Participating Congregations
Calvary Church, Boalsburg
Faith United Church of Christ, State College Friends Meeting House, State College Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Port Matilda Grace Lutheran Church, State College Salvation Baptist Church St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, State College St. John's United Church of Christ, Boalsburg St. Paul's United Methodist Church, State College State College Presbyterian Church, State College Unity Church of Jesus Christ, State College University Baptist and Brethren, State College University Mennonite Church, State College Trinity Lutheran Church State College Alliance Church Fairbrook United Methodist Church State College E-Free Church Partner Agencies
|
What We Believe
|
Vision Out of the Cold will care for the unsheltered in Centre County, working toward a day when homelessness is a rare, brief, and one time event.
|
Mission Out of the Cold is a community supported organization that answers the call to serve those experiencing homelessness in our community by providing shelter, food, and support services during the transition to permanent housing. |
|
Prioritize Relationships Believing that transformation occurs within relationships, we will foster and grow a welcoming community in which guests and volunteers respect one another, serve with integrity, and extend grace and love unconditionally, intentionally building deep and lasting relationships, thus laying a firm foundation for change. Foster Community Agreeing that we are strong together, we will seek to foster and grow community by recognizing the intrinsic value of each of our guests, honestly embracing diversity and welcoming all races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and belief systems. Acknowledging that homelessness impacts the entire Centre Region, and that effective collaboration benefits everyone, we will intentionally build relationships with all those in our community. |
Individualize Care Recognizing the complex factors that lead to homelessness, we will help each guest identify and set realistic and achievable goals for a safe, sustainable and bright future by addressing financial, relational, spiritual, physical and mental health challenges as desired. We will strive to recognize each other’s differences and capabilities and will make adaptations to meet individual needs, partnering with other community agencies and resources as appropriate. We will not shy away from difficult cases that require additional measures of grace, understanding, perseverance or resources. Create a Culture of Safety Desiring to keep all guests, staff, and volunteers safe, we will make safety a priority. We will regularly review guidelines and procedures and will provide training opportunities for all staff and volunteers. |
