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Aurora honors Wesley United Methodist Church; warming center has sheltered nearly 100 people, pastor says
Summary
The Aurora City Council presented a mayor's award to Reverend Tammy Scott of Wesley United Methodist Church for operating a winter warming center that has sheltered 98 unique people and three families, assisted by dozens of volunteers and local partners, the pastor told the council.
The Aurora City Council presented a mayor’s award Monday to Reverend Tammy Scott of Wesley United Methodist Church for operating the city’s winter warming center, and Scott told the council the program has sheltered 98 unique individuals and three families.
Reverend Tammy Scott, pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church, told the council the warming center opened “for the first time on Friday, November 29” and has operated nights intermittently and in consecutive runs. “In total, we have provided a warm, dry, safe space to sleep for 98 unique individuals, and 3 families,” Scott said.
The mayor’s office of community affairs introduced the presentation. Mister Mohammed, representing the mayor’s office of community affairs, thanked Wesley United Methodist Church for leading the city’s Warming Center and asked Mayor Irvin to join him in presenting the award.
Why it matters: Scott said the warming center fills gaps in shelter capacity during cold weather and connects guests to longer-term services. She reported that of the 98 people served, 79 were male and 19 were female; 28 had not returned since Dec. 31, which Scott said staff hope indicates they found other accommodations. Scott provided a breakdown of stays: 38 guests stayed one night, 18 stayed two nights, 19 stayed three to five nights, 12 stayed six to nine nights, and 11 stayed 10 or more nights. She said 13 long-term guests are unable to go to Hesed House and about 10 others do not have sufficient residency to qualify for Hesed House placement.
Scott described the volunteer and partnership network supporting the site: she said 32 individuals from the wider Aurora area have served as staff or volunteers; nearly 50 community members donated money (gifts reported between $10 and $250); and partners include AID, Aurora Mutual Aid, Hassett House and the Kane County Health Department. Scott said the center is helping some guests obtain identification, medication and referrals to shelters or medical care.
The council acknowledged Wesley United Methodist Church’s work with a round of applause and the mayor’s award. Mayor Irvin presented the award and thanked the church for hosting the center.
Council context and next steps: Council members did not debate or vote on new shelter policy during the presentation. The remarks were part of the mayor’s office presentation; Scott said the warming center will continue operations and that staff and volunteers are coordinating with agencies to seek longer-term housing solutions for guests.
“I think really this warming center has created a way for community members and organizations to come together in a powerful way,” Scott said.
Details omitted or not specified in meeting: funding amounts from the city contract for the warming center were not specified during the presentation; Scott described supplemental community contributions but did not provide a total dollar figure for donations beyond the reported donation range.
