As the summer heat fades into cooler fall days, we at Micah start thinking about keeping our neighbors warm and safe when cold winter temperatures set in.
That’s the focus of the Cold Weather Shelter, a ministry that Micah has operated for many years to provide a safe, warm space for those experiencing homelessness who would otherwise be sleeping outside on winter’s coldest nights.
The shelter operates across two sites. A Stafford County location serves men, while a downtown location provides a separate space for women. The decision to offer these two different sites not only increases capacity, but has also created an environment where more women feel willing to come inside on the coldest nights.
From mid-November through mid-March each year, Micah makes a day-by-day decision on whether the shelter will open, based on forecast temperatures and weather conditions. Across the two sites, the Cold Weather Shelter accommodates about 60 to 70 guests on each night that it is open.
“It is literally a life-saving program in that it provides a warm space for people who would be sleeping outside in the snow, in sub-freezing temperatures, in bad weather conditions,” said Jill Clare, Micah’s Executive Administrator.
Volunteers Make it Happen
Like many of Micah’s ministries, the Cold Weather Shelter is made possible by dedicated volunteers who serve in different areas of its operation. As we approach the 2026-27 Cold Weather Shelter season, Micah is seeking volunteer teams to fill many of these roles.
A major need is transportation. The men’s Cold Weather Shelter is not walkable from many of Micah’s other service sites in downtown Fredericksburg. Volunteers drive Micah’s bus and van from the Community Dinner site to the shelter, then pick up neighbors at the shelter in order to get them to the downtown breakfast site by 7 AM the next morning.
Volunteer drivers do not need to have a CDL, and can choose their night or morning on the driving schedule. We also look for backup drivers who can be available as needed.
Check-in teams are the welcoming faces our neighbors see as they arrive at the shelter locations. Volunteers arrive around 5:30 PM to prepare the space, assist with check-in and provide a welcoming atmosphere through conversation, snacks or games. Most teams finish by 8 PM. These teams typically consist of three to five people who sign up to be responsible for one day per month (i.e., third Sundays) if the shelter is open.
Morning hospitality teams provide coffee, breakfast and conversation for neighbors after their night at the shelter. These teams serve anything from breakfast cereal and pastries to casseroles and other creative items, and help neighbors start their day knowing they are cared for. The bus drops neighbors off at the breakfast site (which rotates among host churches throughout the week) around 7 AM. The volunteer shift, which includes setup, runs from roughly 6 AM until 8:30 AM.
Individuals interested in any of the above opportunities should contact Micah’s Community Engagement Navigator, Alacia Harrison, at [email protected], or 540-200-8373.
Knowing our Neighbors
While the primary purpose of the Cold Weather Shelter is to keep neighbors safe from dangerous weather conditions, the ministry provides an opportunity for fellowship with our neighbors, and a chance to get to better understand their needs.
As neighbors check in, they enter a safe environment where they can chat with friends, play card games or watch sports on TV.
“It provides a safe space for us to be able to get to know our neighbors,” said Clare. “Before they go to sleep, it’s a prime opportunity for us and our volunteers to get to know them and learn about their needs.”
The shelter ministry is closely intertwined with all of the other ministries that make up Micah’s holistic approach to caring for the chronically unhoused in the Fredericksburg community. These include community meals and hospitality, connections to health care, income development, spiritual growth and permanent housing opportunities.