Lansing Sun

LANSING, MI – Kimberly A. Coleman, Director of the Human Relations & Community Services (HRCS) Department, announced today that she consulted with Mayor Andy Schor and HRCS has updated the City’s winter warming center plans. Operations have been adjusted to focus on unhoused adults who need a warm place overnight through the winter months.

“Our initial intent to help families with an overnight warming center has been shifted to individuals due to both need and available infrastructure,” HRCS Director Kimberly A. Coleman said. “We will work to assist individuals and as many families as possible to ensure they are safe and warm overnight.”

Some members of the public, as well as some City Councilmembers, have publicly requested plans be altered to accommodate adult individuals. Their feedback has been heard and many of their requests are met under this new plan.

Due to a recent determination, a lack of appropriate fire suppression systems as prescribed under the law, the City can only use the community center as a warming center for adults. The HRCS Department has alternative short-term plans for families with children who are facing housing insecurity and shelter issues through the winter.

Purpose and Background

Homelessness. It’s one of the most challenging problems we face as a society. One of the first steps to solving homelessness is acknowledging that its victims are human people. Just people. Fathers. Mothers. Children. Veterans. Whole families. Just people experiencing hard times.

HRCS initiated this process by utilizing data collected from departmental interactions with those in need of shelter. In acknowledgment of this crisis and identifying gaps in crucial services, an extensive planning process took place resulting in a bid for proposal to solicit applications from community organizations with prior experience servicing people who are experiencing homelessness.

Applicants were required to demonstrate the capacity to meet the needs of the homeless population. The Lansing City Council allocated funding for this and the State of Michigan allocated $800,000 in their latest budget to allow the City to contract with a vendor to operate and establish a warming center for the unsheltered. After a bid for proposals, the City has chosen to contract with the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) to operate and manage the program.

About the provider DRMM:

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is one of the largest providers in the fight against homelessness and substance abuse in the country. They operate 8 shelters, warming centers, and facilities for the unhoused in 4 Michigan counties, including Wayne, Macomb, St. Clair, and Livingston. Founded in 1909, The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has spent over 100 years of continued service providing food, clothing, shelter, and services to intervene where homelessness and substance addiction occur. DRMM is a faith-based, non-profit organization, recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and has devoted a wealth of resources to meet the basic needs of humanity while motivating individuals to rebuild their lives, one life at a time.

“On behalf of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, I am thrilled to express our sincere gratitude for selecting us as recipients of this contract. We are truly honored and delighted to accept this, which marks a significant milestone in our mission to serve the vulnerable population in the Lansing community,” stated Dr. Chad Audi, President & CEO, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.

The Letts Warming Center - UPDATED PLAN:

The overnight warming center will be open for all adults dealing with the challenges of homelessness. Housed in the City of Lansing’s Letts Community Center, located at 1220 W. Kalamazoo Street, the hours of operation will be Monday - Sunday, 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

The Human Relations and Community Services Department is working with the contracted facility operator to have the staff hired, trained and in place with an anticipated opening date of December 4, and ending on April 30, 2024.

“This warming center plan will help meet the needs of many in our community who need a warm place overnight. We heard additional input from community members, City Council partners, and city officials and took all of that into consideration when working on this updated plan,” stated Mayor Andy Schor. “Our HRCS Department has worked hard to find a qualified vendor and ensure we have safe and appropriate space to accommodate people overnight through the cold winter months. Letts Community Center makes the most sense as a location given its proximity to bus lines, as well as needs of individuals and services.”

During a severe cold weather emergency, termed a “Code Blue” by the City of Lansing, program capacity will be temporarily increased to accept additional guests overnight.

Original source can be found here.