City of Columbia Winter Shelter
191 Calhoun Street
Tel. 255-8158
Map to shelter location
The Winter shelter provides beds, bathrooms, showers, lockers, telephone access, laundry machines, support group meetings, and bus tickets to homeless individuals during the winter season.
For more information, please contact
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THE WINTER SHELTER IS NOW OPEN FOR THE DURATION OF THE COLD WEATHER SEASON
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HOMELESS IN COLUMBIA?
LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE?
Please consider making a donation to the Winter Shelter. We are in need of the following items:
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Ground coffee |
Board games |
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Non-dairy creamer |
Powder laundry detergent |
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Packets of sugar |
Small size shampoo |
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8 oz Styrofoam cups |
Small size soap |
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Coffee stirrers |
Small size shaving cream |
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Disposable plates, bowls, cups, and utensils |
Small size deodorant |
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New socks, T-shirts, and underwear |
Small size toothpaste |
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Laptop computer |
Toothbrushes |
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Bolt cutters |
Feminine hygiene products |
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Large bike racks (5-10 bikes) |
Twin size sheets |
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Book shelves |
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Winter Shelter 2007-2008 Report
The City of Columbia would like to thank the following partners for their contributions to addressing homelessness in our community:
(Please click on the logo for more information)
USC- Supportive Housing Services
On Thursday, December 6, 2007, the Community Development Department organized the City?s Third Annual Project Homeless Connect event at the Emergency Winter Shelter. This event was part of national campaign sponsored by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness during the week of December 3rd- 7th.
Project Homeless Connect is a national event that now takes place in 40 cities across the United States, with over 9,500 volunteers engaging over 15,000 people experiencing homelessness. City governments, nonprofits, community volunteers, and the private sector collaborate to provide a one-stop shop of health and human services for the homeless.
On December 6th, 40 agencies and organizations provided information on housing, employment, legal assistance, substance abuse programs, mental health services, and health care. Haircuts and manicures were provided to participants by Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, wheelchair repair was offered by All Medical, flu shots were given by the Richland County Health Department, voter registration was done by Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, and HIV/AIDS testing was done by SC HIV/AIDS Council.
Breakfast and lunch were served through donations by 12 corporate sponsors, Food Not Bombs, and Washington Street United Methodist Church. Volunteers to staff the event included City staff, members of Midtown Fellowship, and members of City Year.
From data collected the day of the event, the following results were compiled:
152 homeless individuals participated
43 volunteers and City staff members participated
122 exit surveys were completed by homeless individuals
13 applications or appointments were made for housing assistance
19 applications or appointments were made for benefits assistance programs
15 applications or appointments were made for medical care
7 applications or appointments were made for job training programs
7 applications or appointments were made for mental health assistance
100+ haircuts were given
30+ manicures were given
16 flu shots were given
12 people were registered to vote
13 people were tested for HIV/AIDS
2 wheelchairs were repaired or adjusted
For additional information on Project Homeless Connect, please contact
The Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) strives to end homelessness by making a difference in the lives of people who are experiencing homelessness. The MACH, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded in 1994. The MACH serves the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, and York.
The MACH is comprised of over 60 agencies and is led by a Board of Directors. The MACH addresses homelessness by promoting collaboration and planning among state and local governments, corporate and non-profit organizations, and faith-based entities that support individuals and families in their quest to move from homelessness to housing.
The MACH provides resources for information sharing and advocacy. MACH member agencies provide a variety of services including: emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, supportive services, legal services, job training, transportation, medical and dental care, substance abuse and mental health programs, child care, and rent and utility assistance.
MACH meetings take place every third Friday of the month at 10:00am at the Cecil Tillis Center.Everyone is welcome to attend!
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