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Trinity Episcopal and Second Baptist churches have been designated as Monmouth County’s Code Blue warming stations for those experiencing homelessness, according to Derek Minno-Bloom, the Social and Food Justice Director at Trinity Episcopal Church.

From 6 pm to 7 am on dry nights when the temperature falls below 28 degrees or below 32 degrees during inclement weather, the churches will open their gym doors ensure community members stay warm and safe.

Trinity [shown in feature photo], located at 503 Asbury Ave, will host the Code Blue refuge from December through February and Second Baptist [at right], located at 124 Atkins Ave, will host the program throughout March.

Last winter the two churches were a part of the Women’s Hospitality Network, a group of community churches and organizations that provided shelter for women experiencing homelessness.

Although both accuweather.com and the Farmer’s Almanac predict El Niño will cause milder temperatures through year’s end, cold weather will take hold in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic in January and February.

And with a 250 percent increase in Code Blue nights last year over the prior year [a jump from 8 Code Blue nights to 28], community volunteers are being sought.

According to Bloom, Trinity will be provided with a two-day notice but there may be nights when no advance notice is given due to unpredictable temperature fluctuations.

Volunteers will be asked to participate in a one hour safety and de-escalation training in mid November.

Ways to volunteer include:

Help getting and serving coffee and snacks – either buy coffee or ask one of city’s venues to donate to the program.

Staying overnight to serve and provide hospitality to guests; shifts are 6 to 10 pm, 10 pm to 2 am, 2 to 7 am, or an all night rotation.

Help with security and hospitality during the aforementioned time slots.

And, assistance with sign up, set up and/or clean up.

For more information or to add your name to the volunteer list, email derek@trinitynj.com.

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