MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Martinsburg City Council has authorized funding through opioid settlement funds to The Martinsburg Initiative to establish a cold weather shelter this winter.
Area have volunteered to assist and the Martinsburg Initiative has taken the lead on the project.
In an announcement this week, the city of Martinsburg says in order to ensure this endeavor is successful, the Martinsburg Initiative is seeking shelter managers.
The purpose of the Martinsburg Cold Weather Shelter is to provide a safe and warm space for people living outside in Martinsburg during the coldest months of winter.
Local churches will host the shelter, and paid staff will manage the shelter. The shelter will operate from 7 PM to 7 AM January 1 – March 7, the coldest months of the year.
The Martinsburg Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) has three primary goals: 1) to improve access to emergency shelter during the coldest months of winter, 2) to improve the health and wellbeing of CWS guests, and 3) to increase community engagement in addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness (PEH).
