Jan 13, 2009 10:44 pm US/Central
Homeless Shelters Open Doors As Temperature Dips
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The fall and winter months in Chicago are particularly dangerous for homeless people. (File)
CBS
Another winter weather advisory is on the way. Staying at home is the warmest place. But there are thousands of Chicagoans who don't have that option. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports that it's been a while since we've anticipated a prolonged bitterly cold snap like the one we're in now.
That means city and many suburban officials are stepping up their efforts to keep people safe and alive.
Isaiah Norfleet, 19, takes a cold and lonely walk from a city warming center to a homeless shelter almost every night. In this bitterly cold weather, it's a matter of survival for this homeless teen.
When asked what he would do without warming centers, Norfleet said, "I'd probably freeze to death."
It's the same story for hundreds, if not thousands, of Chicago's homeless who sit at warming centers all day until shelters open their doors.
"A typical day is just staying warm," said homeless man Joseph Grove.
But not everyone wants to go to a shelter, including one man who didn't want to be identified.
"I'm going to get on the train and I'm gonna ride till the morning, and then I'm gonna go to Cook County Hospital and sit up there and watch TV, or see a doctor," he said.
That frustrates Department of Family Support Services Commissioner Mary Ellen Caron. She says the city tries to find beds for people who need them, and will help get folks to shelters if they choose. In this weather, that's a top priority. But Caron says city workers can only do so much.
"They are adults, it's their choice to make, but when it's this cold, we help them a little bit more and maybe walk with them and go there," Caron said. "And we do provide transportation all the time."
As the thermometer continues to plummet, Caron says the city will continue to open up more beds and conduct well-being checks.
But those with nowhere to go aren't the only ones at risk in this weather. Doctors say people need to remember any direct exposure, even for a few minutes, can be dangerous.
"The ears, nose, anything exposed can really freeze quickly, and it can freeze within three minutes," said Dr. Rahol Khare, Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
City officials are meeting Wednesday about if, or more likely, when they'll enact a cold weather emergency plan.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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