detroit library
The Detroit Public Library’s Main Branch on Woodward Avenue is among the sites in the city offering refuge from the frigid temperatures. Masking inside the libraries is mandatory and the capacity is limited. (BridgeDetroit photo by Malachi Barretti)

The City of Detroit opened two 24-hour warming centers this week as a respite from biting cold temperatures. 

Three additional centers are available for overnight shelter and Detroit Public Library branches also are offering refuge during operating hours. 

The National Weather Service in White Lake Township forecast potential snow showers Thursday evening and sub zero wind chills Friday.

24-Hour Warming Centers 

The following locations are available from Wednesday, Feb.1 at 11 a.m. through Sunday, Feb. 5 at 8 a.m.

  • Farwell Recreation Center: 2711 E. Outer Drive
  • Patton Recreation Center: 2301 Woodmere St. 

Additional Warming Centers 

There are three locations open through March 31 for those experiencing homelessness. They provide meals, showers, sleeping accommodations and housing assistance, according to a news release. 

People seeking shelter services or warming center placement should call the Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) — the main entry point for people facing homelessness in the city to get shelter. They can call CAM at (313) 305-0311. The hours of operation are: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Outside of CAM hours and the holidays, people can come in person to the following warming center locations:

  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (for families and single women): Mack Warming Center, 11037 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48214; (313) 331-8990
  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (single men): Third Street Warming Center, 3535 Third Ave., Detroit, MI 48201;(313) 993-6703
  • Cass Community Social Services (families and single women): 11850 Woodrow Wilson St., Detroit, MI 48206; (313) 883-2277

Veterans who need shelter can go to the second floor of the John D. Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s red tower located at 4646 John R St., Detroit, MI 48201. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Detroit Public Library 

The libraries have COVID-19 protocols in place, including limited capacity and mandatory masking. Here are some locations, according to a news release:

  • Bowen Branch: 3648 W. Vernor, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Campbell Branch: 8733 W. Vernor, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Chandler Park Branch: 12800 Harper, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Duffield Branch: 2507 W. Grand Blvd., Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Edison Branch: 18400 Joy Road, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Elmwood Park Branch: 550 Chene, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Franklin Branch: 13651 E. McNichols, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Knapp Branch: 13330 Conant, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Main Library: 5201 Woodward Ave., Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Parkman Branch: 1766 Oakman Blvd., Technology, Literacy and Career Center, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Redford Branch: 21200 Grand River Ave., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Sherwood Forest Branch: 7117 W. Seven Mile Road, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.
  • Wilder Branch: 7140 E. Seven Mile Road, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.

Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility for the Detroit Free Press and BridgeDetroit as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project.

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  1. How do you contact Governor Grant’s office or report her she promised to fix the roads she’s did nothing their patch working the roads and not even doing it properly people are tearing their cars up and we have to be responsible for tearing up our car because the roads are not fixed and other people car if we try to ditch a pot hole and mess up somebody else’s car

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