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WARM Center director outlines shelter, meal and assistance services for Charlestown residents
Summary
Russ Partridge, executive director of the WARM Center, told the Charlestown council that the nonprofit runs meals, emergency shelter and critical-needs assistance and served roughly 70–80 Charlestown residents last year.
Russ Partridge, executive director of the WARM Center in Westerly, described the nonprofit’s suite of services to the Charlestown Town Council during a regular meeting, saying the organization provided meals, emergency shelter and individual supports that aim to prevent homelessness.
Partridge, who told the council he has led the Warm Center for 17 years, said the organization operates community meal sites that serve lunch and dinner seven days a week and runs a community critical-needs program that provides rental, utility and prescription assistance and help repairing cars so people can get to work. “For many, I’ve been at the Warm Center for 17 years. Very proud of the work we do,” Partridge said.
Why it matters: Council members noted the center’s work as a local safety‑net that keeps households housed and connects clients to other regional services, including Johnnycake centers in nearby communities. Partridge said last year the center served “about 70–80 individuals” from Charlestown, including single adults, couples and families.
Council members asked follow‑up questions about referrals and partnerships. Partridge said the WARM Center coordinates with other providers across Washington County and with local shelters to deliver both short‑term emergency shelter and longer‑term resources. He described the community critical‑needs program as a homelessness‑prevention tool that “keeps people housed where they are.”
The council did not take any formal financing action during the presentation. Speakers thanked Partridge and the WARM Center for continuing services and for recent staffing changes; Partridge said a new executive director will start in April.
Looking ahead: Council members and the director agreed to keep the center’s request on the council’s agenda for any future budget or grant considerations.
