History of the Warming Center

During the year of the Polar Vortex, from the night of January 30th into the morning of January 31st, wind chill numbers dipped into the -50s. People were outside unsheltered, facing frostbite and worse.

Under the umbrella of the Hospitality House, a group was formed to create what would become the Warming Center.

It opened that winter, first in a church, then at Hawkeye Metro Center, and finally at our permanent location at 1022 W. 5th Street in Waterloo.