Every time the weather forecast shows large amounts of snow or bone-chilling temperatures, you can’t help but think about the potential effects it will have. You may wonder, “Will the roads be difficult to drive? Will I be able to get to the store or to work? Will I need to work from home if I get snowed in?”
But for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, the snow and the cold come with a whole other list of questions:
- Will I be safe tonight?
- How will I stay dry?
- Do I have the right clothes and shoes to survive this storm?
- Where can I go to stay warm?
“I’d probably die in the cold right now. So, the shelter has kept me alive,” FCRM guest, DeWayne, said. “We are fed twice a day, and that’s a real blessing. I’m grateful that I am not out in the cold.”
Without proper resources, transportation or shelter, these conditions can prove to be exceptionally dangerous for people in need. Can you imagine being stuck outside with just the clothes on your back and wind chills well below zero? Even moderately cold weather can have dire consequences for someone struggling on the street.
The cold weather can also cause people experiencing homelessness who don’t seek out shelter to lose sleep, which can have negative effects on concentration, depression and other hurdles to escaping homelessness.
“Sleeping on the streets . . . Making fire [using hand sanitizer], dressing up in layers and layers and layers . . . blankets and all that, just to get through the night. Finding anywhere that was secluded, where there was no wind chill. One night it was so cold that I just almost froze to death.”
Joseph, Mission shelter guest
The Dangers of Extreme Cold
Extreme cold and even colder wind chills can lead to life-threatening situations and long-term challenges. It’s critical that people experiencing homelessness seek safe shelter like we offer at Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
Hypothermia
Body temperature being too low affects the brain, making someone unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because you may not know it’s happening.
Frostbite
Frostbite can permanently damage someone’s body, and severe cases can even lead to amputation. The risk increases for those with reduced circulation and those not dressed for extreme cold.
Other Dangers
Desperate and cold, some may try to warm up in dangerous ways. Improperly handled fire can lead to burns and property damage, and some may abuse drugs or alcohol, making problems worse.
*More details on the dangers of hypothermia and frostbite can be found from the CDC’s Extreme Cold Guide.
Your Support Helps Save Lives and More!
When temperatures drop dangerously low, the immediate need for warmth and safety is critical—but it’s only the beginning.
Your support today helps fund not only life-saving shelter but also life-changing programs that address the root causes of homelessness. At Fort Collins Rescue Mission, we work with individuals to overcome the challenges that led them to experience homelessness in the first place—whether through addiction recovery, job training, counseling, or life-skills development—before guiding them toward sustainable housing.
Last year alone, 160 households found more stable housing thanks to generous supporters like you. These are our neighbors who are now building brighter futures because someone like you believed in their potential.
Guests find relief through warm meals at the Mission, which are prepared and served by Mission staff and volunteers from the community.
Together, we’re ending homelessness, one life at a time. Your gift provides hope that outlasts even the coldest of winter nights—saving lives today and transforming them for tomorrow.
If you don’t follow us online, you can find the Mission on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and Vimeo. Visit our profiles and share or like a post or two to help us spread the word about how supporters like you are changing lives every day.
How You Can Help
As the temperatures plunge this winter, your support is critical. Give now to help protect lives from the bitter cold and provide the foundation for lasting change.
Your Partnership Makes It Possible
With your help, we can prepare for the influx of guests in our shelters we typically experience as temperatures drop. Just last year, 882 people were known to be experiencing homelessness in Northern Colorado, according to the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care, and about 30% of them were unsheltered.
Supporters like you help us stay prepared to welcome as many people as we can on the coldest of nights. Your financial support and time volunteering helps us save lives.
