Weather Protection for the Unhoused

Alexa Carlozzi • July 7, 2022
All statements below that are not cited are based on the knowledge, opinion, and experience of the author or the interviewee

          For those with permanent shelter, extreme weather is usually just an annoyance or nuisance. But for those without permanent shelter, extreme weather can be fatal. Frigid temperatures and high heat can lead to several health complications, such as hypothermia or heatstroke. Storms can destroy a person’s belongings - especially as storage remains a persistent gap. The dangers of extreme weather are why structural protection for the unhoused population is so important.

 

          For the extreme cold, The Wayne County Housing Coalition founded the “Severe Weather Shelter” to be run out of the Salvation Army. The shelter opens in the evening on nights where the “feel-like” temperature is 20°, which will be increasing to “feels-like” 25° next season. There are 25 pre-made beds available and local churches supply dinner for the guests. Last winter during the 2021/22 season, the Severe Weather Shelter was open 63 nights. The Salvation Army also has their everyday shelter and their “Living Room Project,” which serves as a drop-in shelter for the homeless during the week. In the Living Room, lunch is served every day, shower and laundry services are available, and a “one-stop-shop” allows for socialization and resource exploration. With this space, visitors can escape the cold during the day, no matter the temperature. Major Connie Higgins of the Wooster Salvation Army states, “The Living Room was created so the community could have a daily place to go inside.”

 

          Extreme heat has similar solutions. There is not currently a shelter or area solely dedicated to high temperatures like the Severe Weather Shelter, but the Living Room and the everyday shelter is open to give visitors access to air conditioning. Fortunately, Major Tim Higgins and Major Connie Higgins of the Wooster Salvation Army do not see high temperatures causing many issues in the community, especially with the resources available. However, another problem in the summer is the elevated number of storms. Protection from tornados and torrential storms is lifesaving and is an essential service provided by shelters. Regular storms can also cause major inconveniences for the unhoused population. As discussed in a previous article, a lack of storage for the homeless is a consistent problem in the community. Thus, smaller storms can cause belongings, such as important documents, to be damaged or destroyed – which is a serious complication for the homeless.

 

          The primary goal with extreme weather is to “get them out of the cold and heat,” as stated by Major Tim Higgins. Resources in the community provide another important element as well: socialization. Major Tim Higgins states, “the social aspect is really important - the community looks to each other as family and they all look out for each other.” The socialization opportunities provided by the shelters helps build connections and social support networks amongst the community - which is an unintended benefit of providing shelter.

 

          While there are many options for the unhoused population in extreme weather events, gaps still remain. Major Tim Higgins states, “the problem is the evening hours, where do they go from here?” While a few-hour gap may not seem important, in extreme weather, these voids can be dangerous as it leaves those without shelter exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. Thus, finding solutions to fill these time gaps are important, and potentially, lifesaving.

 

           A solution to fill these gaps is to increase the number of volunteers and resources at the shelters. Not having adequate support and funding is a prominent issue in shelters and is the main reason why many cannot stay open longer. By increasing the amount of help at shelters, the evenings gaps could be filled, and shelters could house more people. Also, creating public spaces for unhoused people can create more options when shelters are closed. For example, having public “rest stops” with air-conditioning and heating, or even just water, could provide short-term relief from the weather – without volunteers or high expenses. Additionally, by reducing the stigma around the homeless community, places like libraries, restaurants, or stores can be respite from the weather as well. Finding solutions is crucial, however, as shelter from extreme weather is a vital need for the homeless population.

 

 

          To financially support the local Severe Weather Shelter, click here. To volunteer, call United Way of Wayne and Holmes at 330-263-6363.


Source:

1. Carlozzi, Alexa, et al. “Interview with Salvation Army.” 1 June 2022.

A Reset Year That Makes Us Stronger: What’s Coming Next for United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties

By Katie Koglman • December 8, 2025
A Reset Year That Makes Us Stronger: What’s Coming Next for United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties By Katie Koglman Every once in a while, you hit a point where you know things have to change not because something is wrong, but because you want to build something stronger. That’s exactly where we are at United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties. We’ve spent nearly seventy years running our grantmaking on a pledged model. People promise donations during campaign season, and we make grant decisions based on those promises. For a long time, that worked. But the world is different now. Donor behavior is different. And the last few years have taught all nonprofits the same lesson: you can’t invest dollars you don’t actually have yet. So we’re taking 2026 to shift into a cash-on-hand model. It’s responsible. It’s transparent. And honestly, it’s overdue. So What Does That Mean Right Now? It means we’re taking the rest of 2025 and 2026 as a reset time. No new grants. No application cycles. No rushing agencies through a process that needs to be redesigned anyway. Our Board of Directors are spending this time rebuilding our criteria, tools, and scoring with intention not just “because that’s how we’ve always done it.” The new, modernized grant cycle will open Spring 2026. Clear, fair, and grounded in the real dollars we have on hand. Our current core community partners have already been awarded unrestricted grants for the start of 2026. But Let Me Be Clear: 2025 Was NOT a Quiet Year Far from it. If anything, this year proved that United Way Wayne and Holmes is at its best when we can respond quickly and fill the gaps others can’t. Your Volunteer Investment Team made big, thoughtful grants in 2025 From behavioral health to crisis services, youth development, addiction recovery, arts access, job support, and more—our volunteers showed up with intention and heart. Providing the following organizations with programmatic funds: · American Red Cross – $30,000 · Anazao Community Partners – $92,724.50 · Catholic Charities – $82,000 · Children’s Advocacy Center – $60,945 · Goodwill Industries – $55,000 · Holmes Center for the Arts – $11,000 · NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties – $33,500 · Learn N Play – $20,000 · OneEighty, Inc. – $135,000 · Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club (Rittman) – $22,500 · Salvation Army – Wooster – $70,000 · The Counseling Center – $58,500 · Viola Startzman Clinic – $100,000 · Wayne County Schools Career Center – $17,560.50 · YMCA – $50,000 · IncludeAbility – $12,500 · Nick Amster, Inc. – $4,050 · Norwayne Local Schools – $4,650 Our Board stepped up with responsive funding We supported after-school care, emergency housing, mobile vaccine access, sensory needs, food programs, and community-led ideas that deserved a boost. Providing the following organizations with timely, need based funding: · Kevin McAllister Fund – $100 · ASPIRE – $100 · Holmes County General Health District (Mobile Vaccine Unit) – $5,000 · West Salem Outreach – Food Assistance – $2,000 · Catholic Charities – $500 (Gifts of Gratitude nomination) · YMCA – Holmes County Before & After School Care – $25,000 · Habitat for Humanity – Holmes County – $7,500 · Knights Academy – Meal Prep Classes – $2,000 · West Holmes Early Intervention – Sensory Furniture – $2,000 · Viola Startzman Clinic – West Salem Expanded Services – $5,000 · Community Action Wayne/Medina – Emergency Housing Assistance – $5,000 · West Holmes Middle School – Shop with a Teacher – $1,250 And Operation SNAP GAP helped local food programs stay afloat With the changes to SNAP benefits, the need has grown and we made sure the following local food pantries had support when they needed it most. · Christ’s Cupboard – $250 · Community Action Wayne/Medina – $1,000 · Crown Hill Mennonite – $250 · Faith Fellowship – $250 · Glenmont Food Pantry – $250 · Homeward Bound – $250 · Lakeville United Methodist – $250 · Millersburg Church of God – $500 · Millersburg First Presbyterian – $250 · People to People Ministries – $250 · Pregnancy Care Center – $250 · Rittman United Methodist – $250 · The Love Center Food Pantry – $250 · The Server – $1,000 · West Salem Outreach – $1,000 · Wooster Hope Center – $250 · YMCA of Wayne County – $250 We didn’t slow down. We just shifted how we moved. Why This Reset Matters (And Why I’m So Proud of It) I’ll say it plainly: This transition makes us better stewards of community dollars. It puts us on stable ground. It lets us invest confidently. And it opens the door for more nonprofits to be part of the process moving forward. Our Board President, Bonnie Ferguson Hall, has been a tremendous partner in this work. Her leadership reflects exactly what we want this reset to stand for: clarity, accountability, and community first. This isn’t about giving less. It’s about giving smarter, stronger, and more sustainably. Looking Ahead to Spring 2026 We’ll roll out clear information early next year about: what the applications will look like eligibility funding priorities how scoring works timelines and deadlines My goal? A process that nonprofits don’t dread and one that reflects the real challenges and opportunities in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Thank You for Trusting Us While We Do This Work You’ve allowed us to hit the reset button for the right reasons. And because of that, we’re going to be able to support more people, more organizations, and more needs in the years ahead. This is a rebuilding year and a strengthening year. The truth? I’ve never been more optimistic about where we’re headed. And I can’t wait for 2026.

Answering the Call: Childcare Solutions for Working Families in Holmes County

By Katie Koglman • September 9, 2025
Answering the Call: Childcare Solutions for Working Families in Holmes County Imagine being a working parent in Holmes County with no safe, reliable place for your child before or after school. No before- or after-school care options at all. Just a desperate patchwork of relatives, friends, or the rare in-home provider, if you can find one. At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties , we know community needs don’t get solved overnight. Every solution requires two things: A champion – someone to lead the work. Funding – because even the best solutions cost money. Sometimes the same organization fills both roles. More often, it takes years of partnerships and persistence. The Childcare Challenge When I joined United Way in late 2018, one need rose to the surface quickly: childcare. Both Wayne and Holmes Counties face challenges, but Holmes County was especially hard hit. In 2019, the Holmes Center for the Arts stepped up as a champion and launched before- and after-school programs at Millersburg and Killbuck Elementary Schools. Families finally had an option—until COVID disrupted everything and the program faded away. Still, the calls from parents didn’t stop. Families were desperate, not just for childcare, but for affordable childcare. A Champion Steps Forward In early 2025, a group of concerned citizens rallied around this crisis. That’s when the YMCA of Wayne County stepped forward to become our champion- utilizing a group of concerned and caring community members as an advisory board. And it was the right move. The YMCA of Wayne County has decades of experience, trained staff, and a proven track record in childcare. They know how to provide safe, credentialed before- and after-school care programs. Parents can focus on work knowing their kids are cared for. But the second question remained: who will pay for it? The Reality of Family Budgets Some might say, “Parents should just pay for childcare.” But let’s look at the numbers. A survival budget for a family of five (two adults, two school-aged children, one infant) earning $70,000 per year looks like this: Household income: $70,000 Basic survival expenses: $87,600 Budget gap: -$17,600 And that’s just for bare-bones needs like housing, food, transportation, and childcare. It doesn’t even include clothes, school supplies, internet access, or extracurricular activities. Families are working hard, but the math simply doesn’t add up. Side note: Who is Alice? Why does this reference an ALICE Household or ALICE Budget ? Our Role – We Help That’s where United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties steps in. We work alongside the YMCA of Wayne County to provide childcare scholarships for families who are working but earning too much to qualify for government aid—and not nearly enough to make ends meet. In August, our Board of Directors approved a $24,000 grant to the YMCA of Wayne County to launch affordable before- and after-school care in Millersburg. Thanks to this support, parents won’t have to choose between childcare and food. But here’s the truth: $24,000 doesn’t last long. The need is bigger than one grant. You Can Help too… Every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow, and every parent deserves the peace of mind that their kids are cared for. You can be part of the solution. Donate: Text WeHelp to 44-321 or CLICK HERE to support families in our community. Get Involved: Interested in shaping the future of childcare locally? Contact ashley@uwwh.org to join the advisory committee. Together, we can answer both questions: Who will be the champion? Who will pay for it? With your support, the answer is all of us.

What I learned at the Gas Station Counter; how my daily routine turned into a moment of compassion

By Katie Koglman • August 22, 2025
If you know me, you know I love my Coke Zero. Every day, like clockwork, I stop at the local gas station to fill my jumbo cup with ice and fizzy joy. It’s a small routine, but one that I look forward to. Last week, as I stepped up to the counter, I noticed the young woman working that morning was gently rubbing her temples, clearly in pain. I paused and asked, “Are you okay?” Her eyes welled up a little as she explained that she had a broken tooth. The pain was constant, and she didn’t have the money to see a dentist. My heart ached for her. I asked if she had transportation, and when she said yes, I told her about the Viola Startzman Clinic in Wooster — a place that offers affordable dental care for people just like her. She blinked in surprise. She had no idea it even existed. I scribbled down the phone number and urged her to call right away. She held the paper like it was gold. Then she looked at me and said, “You’re a Godsend.” As I walked back to my car, I thought about how it only took a minute — one question, one small effort — to change someone’s day, maybe even their life. There were other people in that store. They hadn’t noticed. But I did. And I’m so glad I did. We live in a community rich with resources. But the truth is, people in pain don’t always know where to turn. Sometimes, all they need is a little nudge in the right direction. A moment of kindness. A reminder that someone sees them. This young woman is doing her best, working hard, and showing up every day — even through the pain. She deserved help. And I’m thankful I could offer it. If you ever meet someone who’s struggling, don’t hesitate. Let them know about 2-1-1 — our local, 24/7 resource hotline. One simple call to (330) 263-6363 connects them to a live operator who can guide them toward the help they need. Because kindness costs nothing, but it can mean everything. And here’s the beautiful part — donations made to United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties help make all of this possible. Your support funds the Viola Startzman Dental Clinic, the 2-1-1 resource hotline, and so many other programs that offer real help to real people. When you give, you’re not just donating — you’re changing lives.
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