As the leaves and temperatures begin to drop, Salvation Army bells and winter coat collections remind us to be grateful for what we have and generous in our charitable donations.

Many believe that because communities in Sumner County are growing and prosperous, the need for such contributions would be small. But skyrocketing home values and housing prices are putting the county’s working class in a position of facing housing insecurity and even homelessness.

If a family or individual is pushed out of their home, there are few affordable housing options, no laws to protect them and, until now, no place offering a way to protect Sumner County’s homeless population from the winter elements.

With a growing need and no resources in place, Felecia Lewis, the Associate Executive Director of Gallatin-based non-profit organization Unlimited Potential, has partnered with Chaplain Deborah Alston-Barr, a local non-profit leader herself who advocates and does outreach among the homeless population, to establish an emergency warming shelter for Sumner County’s homeless this winter.

Felecia and Deborah knew their own plates were full of commitments to their families, church, and community outreach, but both were adamant that they couldn’t look the other way while their neighbors faced the risk of freezing on winter nights.

"We just had to start somewhere, and the decision was made to offer the Unlimited Potential Community Life Center as a warming shelter from December 3 this year through March 31, 2024," says Felecia.

During these 17 weeks, when the temperatures drop below 33 degrees, a staff member of Unlimited Potential will unlock their gym from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., have tables and chairs set up and snacks and drinks provided by Feed Sumner Food Bank set aside for those in need. A group of volunteers will “man the gym” for the night.

The need is for co-ed church groups or organizations to sign up and be on call for just one of the 17 weeks. First Baptist Church - Winchester Street in Gallatin, where both Felecia and Deborah attend, has signed up for the first week in December and two additional groups have offered to serve.

"This is such a worthy cause, and we hope everyone will join us and get involved!" urges Deborah.

To ensure a consistently warm and safe environment for the unhoused to come indoors and out of the freezing cold this winter, the shelter needs 14 compassionate co-ed teams that are prepared to embrace people of diverse races, ages, and backgrounds to be on standby to operate the warming shelter during the designated week.

If the temperatures remain above 33 degrees, no service is required for that week. However, in the event of colder nights, the dedicated group for that week would be crucial in providing a warm and safe space, potentially saving lives during severe weather.

If your church group or organization would like to help Unlimited Potential provide the first emergency warming shelter in Sumner County and make a significant impact on those in need during the coldest months, please visit the Unlimited Potential CDC Facebook page or their website, www.unlimitedpotentialcdc.org.

A winter warming shelter is not a comprehensive answer to the broader issues of homelessness in Sumner County, but it represents a crucial step in the right direction.