Warming Shelter ILM opens for record 5th time this winter

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Temperatures are expected to drop overnight and will remain that way for a few days.

The Warming Shelter ILM opened for the 5th time Wednesday night, the most in a single winter.

The shelter will remain open through Saturday morning, marking a total of 34 days in operation.

The number of people seeking refuge at the shelter nightly has also risen to more than 140.

Shelter director Meg McBride said the extended operation has had a positive impact on the shelter and its guests.

“We actually witnessed like changes in people’s demeanor the longer they stayed with us,” McBride said. “We were able to actually connect 18 people to resources that broke their cycles of homelessness while they were staying with us. And I think that was only because we had developed trust and relationship.

To enhance the experience, the shelter has introduced entertainment, like live music. some guests have even joined musicians in performing.

But McBride said the most significant addition is an on-site community nurse.

Nurse Marla Barthen said providing care and assistance to the shelter’s guests has been a meaningful experience.

“Yeah, they were glad and grateful, there were hugs and tears,” Barthen said. “I was able to help out folks who needed to get hooked into Medicaid coverage or making sure that we’re not overloading our hospital ER.”

Barthen said there will now be 3 on-site nurses at the shelter every night, including student nurses and other medical professionals, to help support guest’s healthcare needs.

McBride added that volunteers are still needed to help break down the shelter on Saturday, starting at 8:30 am.