LANSING, Mich. — With an Arctic chill on the horizon this weekend, the City of Lansing is preparing to activate a code blue to protect vulnerable individuals from dangerously cold temperatures. As the region braces for a significant temperature drop, local shelters are ramping up their operations to ensure that no one is left exposed to the frigid conditions.
Randy Barton, Senior Director of Operations at the City Rescue Mission of Lansing, highlighted the life-threatening nature of the cold and stressed the urgency of providing shelter. “The cold is here, and it’s a life-and-death level of cold, so we’ve got to work to get people under a roof where they can be safe,” said Barton.
The City Rescue Mission’s shelters, which have a combined capacity of about 200 people, have been seeing an increased demand in recent days. Barton noted that last night alone, the mission managed to house approximately 279 individuals. Despite the overcrowding, the shelter is doing its best to accommodate as many people as possible, utilizing a drop-in center and other available spaces to expand capacity.
In anticipation of the extreme cold, Barton has been coordinating with other agencies to ensure there are no gaps in services. “We’re expanding hours, and increasing resources across different agencies to meet the needs of those on the street, guiding them toward shelter,” Barton explained. “We’ve also made sure we’re stocked up on supplies like clothing, food, and other items to distribute during the cold winter months.”
One of the agencies partnering in this effort is Advent House Ministries. Edward Allen, Outreach Coordinator at Advent House, noted that the agency’s weekend shelter typically serves up to 120 individuals, but with colder conditions expected, that number could rise to as many as 150 people. Advent House is working alongside the City of Lansing to staff the Letts Community Center, providing a warm and safe space for those still seeking shelter during late-night hours.
“We’ve reached out to other shelters to ensure they know we are staffing the Letts Center to offer services and resources to anyone in need,” Allen said. “We’re providing water, snacks, and a place for people to sleep during this harsh weather.”
As the weekend approaches, both the City Rescue Mission and Advent House, along with other local organizations, are ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to protect those experiencing homelessness from the severe cold. These agencies are continuing their collaborative efforts, hoping to leave no one behind as the temperature plummets.
The code blue activation would signal an urgent need for additional shelter resources across the city, and officials are urging anyone in need of shelter to seek help immediately. With cold weather expected to remain a threat in the coming weeks, these agencies are preparing to continue their vital work throughout the winter months.
