Overnight Warming Locations

06/11/2026

OWL volunteers know that compassion is more effective when paired with understanding. Many of our guests face challenges related to mental health, and trainings like Mental Health First Aid help community members respond with greater confidence, empathy, and care.

Whether you're an OWL volunteer or simply want to be better equipped to help someone in need, we encourage you to consider this upcoming training from Mental Health First Aid Illinois.

A Mental Health First Aid course will be offered on June 25 from 9 am - 4 pm at Riverbend Family Ministries for volunteers at the Overnight Warming Locations and any Madison County resident at NO COST, thanks to sponsorship from the Madison County Mental Health Board.

Registration is required before June 21, 2026.

Enter code MADISON at check-out for FREE registration.

Please note that up to 2 hours of independent pre-work is required to attend the live session on June 25.

Register here: https://mhfaillinois.org/etn/mental-health-first-aid-virtual-course-june-25/

Registration is limited to 20 participants

06/08/2026

📣 We're hiring!

Greater Alton Community Development Corporation (GACDC) is seeking an AmeriCorps VISTA member to serve as our OWL Volunteer Coordinator beginning September 2026.

Help recruit and support volunteers, build community partnerships, and strengthen the systems behind this vital winter safety-net program.

Find the link to apply below, and share with anyone who may be a good fit for this role in building OWL's capacity and strengthening our community.

https://tinyurl.com/OWLAmeriCorps

04/21/2026

🧡 During the 2025–2026 winter season, because of this community, the Overnight Warming Locations served 415 guests with warmth, meals, and connection when it mattered most. None of it happens without the people who show up night after night, early mornings, behind the scenes, and in big and small ways.

A special thank you to everyone who joined us at our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on Friday. It was a joy to gather, reflect, and celebrate our volunteers and guests who are the heart of OWL. Thank you to Riverbend Family Ministries for allowing us to host our banquet in their space, and thank you to LaMay's Catering for the fantastic meal.

While our season has come to a close, OWL doesn’t go quiet. The off-season is when we build, strengthen, and grow so we’re ready to meet the need again when cold weather returns.

If you’re looking for a simple way to stay connected and help sustain the OWLs year-round, consider becoming a monthly Sustaining Neighbor. We’re building toward a strong 2026–27 season, and every bit of consistency helps: https://gcld.co/Y3vvLmZ

Thank you for being part of this community. We’re looking forward to what we can do together in 2026–27. 🧡

04/16/2026

The Wedge celebrated their first anniversary this month! To celebrate, they're offering free day passes to the community for the month of April. They are encouraging anyone taking advantage of that offer to make a donation to the Overnight Warming Locations. 💙

04/08/2026

🌡️ Community Care in the Heat: How You Can Help 💛

At Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs), we know that extreme weather doesn’t just impact people at night or during the winter months—it affects our unhoused neighbors all day long, especially during the summer season's hottest hours.

First Baptist Church of Edwardsville, one of our incredible partner churches, is stepping up in a powerful way this summer through their outreach program, Come To Our Table Food Outreach.

They are preparing to shift their outreach this spring/summer to midday—the hottest part of the day—and will soon offer access to showers and laundry services for unhoused guests.

This is more than comfort—it’s dignity, health, and safety during dangerous heat.

To make this expansion possible, they need our community’s support.

🛍️ You can help by donating or sharing their wishlists:
Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/0aO3iqLJ

📦 Most-needed items include:

• Bras & underwear
• Summer clothing
• Feminine hygiene products
• Socks & shoes
• Hygiene products
• Shelf-stable food & snacks
• Sunscreen & sunglasses
• Gatorade & bottled water
• Refillable water bottles
• Bug spray
• Laundry detergent

Every item donated helps someone stay safer, cleaner, and more comfortable during extreme heat.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this post goes a long way in connecting resources with those who need them most.

Thank you for continuing to show up for our community. 💛

— OWLs Team

04/03/2026

"Once unhoused, it’s really hard to get back on one’s feet. A job is difficult to get, let alone keep, if you are living in a tent somewhere. If you were evicted from your last residence, for whatever reason, it’s difficult to find your next residence without that reference. A stable place of residence for a period of time at a transitional housing facility gives people a chance."

Thank you to all those who advocate for our neighbors. 💙

Advocate questions Madison County's decisions blocking homeless housing help

03/28/2026

Trivia sponsors AND trivia players! Thank you, Simmons Hanly Conroy!

Simmons Hanly Conroy was proud to sponsor the Overnight Warming Locations Trivia Round!

It was great to see community leaders come together to support such an important cause. Every event like this helps provide warmth and resources to those in need.