Westmoreland County cold weather shelter program begins on Friday

Westmoreland County cold weather shelters will open on Friday, offering emergency lodging to residents who are homeless or without heat on cold winter nights. They will remain in service through March 31.

Welcome Home Shelter in Greensburg and Union Mission in Latrobe will be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on nights when the temperature is 25 degrees or colder. Despite highs in the 70s in the early part of the week, temperatures are expected to drop below freezing early Saturday morning.

“Not only do the shelters provide a safe and warm environment on our coldest nights — they also provide resources for those who need help getting back on their feet.” said Bobbi Watt Geer, president and CEO of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “Welcome Home Shelter and Union Mission are invaluable resources and partners to United Way in the Westmoreland community.”

Now in its fifth season, the shelter program provided 133 nights of lodging to individuals and families in the 2018-2019 winter season and 125 nights of lodging in the 2017-2018 winter season. The shelters also provide guests with free food and service referrals, depending on their circumstances.

Coordination and funding for the program comes from the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

To check if the shelters will be open on a given night, call the United Way’s help line at 211.