With vaccinations on the rise, FACETS will resume the annual Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program, starting November 28th. This year’s program will again rotate between various faith community partner locations throughout the winter and will include appropriate COVID-19 precautions prescribed by the Fairfax County Health Department to provide a safe and healthy environment for guests and staff. Last year, the program was held at one central facility in response to the pandemic.
“The pandemic continues to create greater need and complicates efforts to help meet those needs,” explained Joe Fay, Executive Director, FACETS. “With more people vaccinated, our faith partners felt comfortable opening their doors to provide shelter during winter nights to those facing homelessness in our community. Together with our partners, we will implement a variety of safety measures to protect guests, our staff and volunteers. We are grateful to the faith communities for their flexibility and continued commitment to supporting this program.”
FACETS, a nonprofit that helps those affected by poverty, hunger and homelessness in Fairfax County, will be running the program from November 28 through April 1. The Hypothermia Prevent Shelter helps neighbors experiencing homelessness find respite from the cold winter. The program serves people across Fairfax and Falls Church in partnership with the Fairfax County government and over 40 faith communities.
FACETS’ faith partners are also providing all meals for the program with different partners rotating week to week. In addition, FACETS offers personalized case management to all guests who want to participate to help them move off the streets and into safe and stable housing. FACETS will also continue to operate its QPID (Quarantine, Protection, Isolation and Decompression) shelter at a hotel in Alexandria for clients affected by the disease.
With the second-largest homeless population in the region, homelessness is a real challenge in the Fairfax County-Falls Church community. With critical help from volunteers and partnerships with the faith and business communities, FACETS works to prevent and end homelessness throughout Fairfax County by offering a full spectrum of services, such as basic needs and financial assistance, counseling and outreach, educational enrichment programs, and permanent housing.
Reporters interested in covering the opening weekend (or any others), call Shawn Flaherty at 703-554-3609. Clients seeking program updates should call FACETS at 703-352-5090 ext. 1302. Households with children who are in need of assistance or shelter should call 211. More information can be found at www.FACETSCares.org