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We can make a difference, together!
In 2023, our efforts will focus on raising funds to benefit the homeless population in our community in a partnership with:
WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter)
Their primary mission:
TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS ONE LIFE AT A TIME
SEEING THE NEED, FINDING A WAY TO HELP
In the winter of 2008, a local homeless man froze to death in Winchester, VA.
A group of faith-based leaders came together, wondering what they could do to help and realized they had the solution right at their fingertips: church buildings that were warm and safe, with bathrooms and kitchens, which were sitting empty at night. This was the start and continued vision for WATTS.
With commitments from a handful of churches and organizations who volunteered their buildings for a week each, WATTS launched their first season in November 2009. Volunteers provided dinners, breakfasts, and bagged lunches for WATTS guests as well as played games, built puzzles, and spent time with guests every night through March the following year.
WHO IS SERVED AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
WATTS SERVES ANYONE who is homeless, regardless of sobriety or criminal background.
The shelter is for adults only and all volunteers are over 18. The shelter houses up to 35 guests per night on cots that are cleaned and moved each week to the next location.
WATTS provides the homeless a place to shower, sometimes bringing a mobile shower trailer to sites lacking showers.
Volunteers provide haircuts, music therapy, and medical services, along with many other services.
WATTS empowers individuals to re-enter the workforce, connects them with resources to be as self-sufficient as possible, while providing a safe temporary shelter during extreme weather.
