Overnight Warming Locations

09/04/2026

🦉 OWL season is approaching, and the 2026 Volunteer Application is NOW OPEN.

There's a spot for every schedule and skill, from overnight shifts to laundry to meals.

Apply to be an OWL Volunteer: https://owl-479483.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1282384

09/02/2026

Thank you to the Metro East Community Rotary Club!

In winter 2024, MEC Rotary improved the hospitality room at our Edwardsville OWL site, making it a welcoming space for our guests.

This week, OWL got to be the guest speaker at their Rotary meeting. The support in the room was incredible, with great questions and genuine interest. In fact, several members are already OWL volunteers.

Community partnerships like this are exactly what keeps OWL running. Thank you, MEC Rotary, for believing in this work! 💙

08/31/2026

💙 Explore how community care can become community power on September 18 with Alton Beloved Community: A Survival Revival.

Beyond the Ban: Stories of Survival with Alton Beloved Community
📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Deliverance Temple Church · Alton, Illinois
Join unhoused neighbors, faith leaders, organizers, advocates, and community members for an evening of storytelling, shared food, music, documentary, and conversation about homelessness and the impact of Alton’s camping ban.
Hear survival stories from the frontlines. Listen across differences. Reflect together. Explore how community care can become community power.
Come ready to listen, learn, connect, and build together.
Everyone is welcome.
🖊️ 📄 RSVP: https://bit.ly/beyondthebanrsvp

08/20/2026

We're so grateful to Midwest Members Credit Union of Wood River for choosing to support the OWLs. 🧡

Their employees give back through jeans days and happy hours, AND they get to choose which local charities receive the funds raised. For the month of June, they chose the OWLs. 👖

That kind of generosity helps us keep our doors open for neighbors experiencing homelessness on the coldest nights. Thank you for seeing us and for showing up for our community. 💙

08/15/2026

☀️ It’s been hot, but the OWLs are already preparing for the opposite end of extreme weather: dangerously cold nights. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market to hear about opportunities to help keep our unhoused neighbors safe this winter.

A special shout out goes out to our neighbor booths who shared some fantastic snacks of kettle corn and smoked goods! 🙂

08/15/2026

Come say hi at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market this morning!

08/13/2026

🥒🍉🍅 It's Market BINGO at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market on Saturday. You should probably plan to attend and get a selfie at the OWL booth as one of your bingo spots! We'll be set up at booth #77 as this week's nonprofit. Hope to see you there!

B-I-N-G-O! Market Bingo was its name-o! Join in the fun this Saturday, August 15th and play MARKET BINGO, hosted by our Promotions Committee! Pick up your game board at the Info Booth, while supplies last, and win fun prizes.

The Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market runs every Saturday from 8am-12pm through October 17th at the corner of Landmarks and Henry in historic Downtown Alton. After you shop our 100+ farm and artisan booths, head up the pedestrian walkway to the shops on Broadway and see what treasures await you. Then grab lunch from one of the terrific establishments in Downtown. Make a day out of this weekend!

08/11/2026

What a beautiful day of community 💙

08/05/2026

Have you ever wanted to help the OWLs beyond volunteering during the winter season?

We're growing our Volunteer Development Committee and looking for people who enjoy building community partnerships, fundraising, event planning, or simply sharing OWL's story. You don't need fundraising experience, just a willingness to help.

If you'd like to learn more, please send an email to [email protected]. We'd love to connect!

As a bonus, we're meeting tomorrow (Thursday 8/6) in Glen Carbon, and anyone who's curious is welcome to join us and see what it's all about. No pressure, just an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and meet the team.

07/29/2026

The People's Fair, hosted by Alton Beloved Community, brings together local resources, opportunities to learn, meaningful conversations, a community meal, and a celebration of belonging. It aligns closely with our own mission to connect people not only to shelter, but to community. We hope to see you there on August 7!

To register for the survival simulation or sign up to host a table at the community meal, use the links provided below:
👉 Survival Simulation signup: bit.ly/AltonSimReg
👉 Host a table: bit.ly/AltonTableReg