Bailey's Crossroads Hypothermia Project
Volunteers of America (VOA) Bailey's Crossroad’s Hypothermia Program is operated under the agency and management of Bailey's Crossroads Community Shelter and operates from Dec. 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. Bailey's Crossroads Hypothermia Program served over 442 clients last season and an additional 84 clients in their other Winter Seasonal Programs for a total of 526 clients served. Hypothermia prevention guests assemble at the Bailey's Community Shelter each evening at 4:00p.m. Hypothermia clients are afforded a hot shower and have their evening meal at the shelter. Bailey's Community Shelter transport guests after dinner to their prospective off-site hypothermia prevention shelter sites. Approximately 25 women and up to 40 men each night are taken to separate faith community-based hypothermia preventions shelters throughout the season. Volunteers prepare food for the hypothermia prevention clients for the evening meal, breakfast items, and bagged lunches for use by clients the following morning when they depart the Hypothermia shelters for the day.
The Hypothermia Prevention Program is an integral part of the Fairfax County program to prevent and end homelessness that incorporates the collaborative work of area faith communities, civic organizations, businesses and individual volunteers. The Hypothermia Prevention Program represents a shining example of collaborative effectiveness in serving the critical needs of the homeless when they are in most danger of exposure to the cold and frigid weather.
In the Winter Season of 2010-2011, the collaborative effort of the Winter Seasonal Programs including the Hypothermia Prevention Program was able to serve 1026 unduplicated guests at all of the sites as well as move 17 clients into permanent housing! There were no hypothermia related deaths reported during the Winter Season of 2010-2011!
This year the partners will open their shelters to “no turn-away” status effective November 1st (even if the weather is not at freezing). If temperatures do drop below freezing prior to November 1st, no turn-away status is in effect.
Debbie P. Scaggs, MBA
Singles Housing/Hypothermia Prevention Manager
Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
Fairfax County
