JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville agencies are stepping up to help vulnerable residents stay warm during dangerously cold temperatures.
The Legends Center has opened as a warming center from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Friday. Andre Ayoub, director of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness, shared why the warming center is an important resource.
MORE: Cold weather shelters to open Thursday in Northeast Florida amid frigid temps
“Every year, you hear about issues with individuals who get injured or even die on the streets. So we want to be proactive,” Ayoub said.
The warming center does not provide supplies, so visitors should bring an air mattress, pillow, blankets, snacks, medication, and anything else needed to get through the night.
Ayoub emphasized the urgency.
“As we’re standing here, you can feel the cold. It’s not two o’clock in the morning. We’re talking about sub, possibly 25, 30 miles per hour winds, and the cold, so we want to make sure people are taken care of.”
In addition to the Legends Center, the City Rescue Mission opened its shelter at 5 p.m. to anyone needing a warm place.
Jamie Williams, director of social services at City Rescue Mission, said, “Our objective is to make sure anyone who needs a warm place to stay tonight is welcome to come to our facility.”
Williams added that visitors don’t need to bring anything. “We’re gonna provide blankets, we’re going to provide a meal, we will even do laundry, everything that they need. The most important thing is that they get out of the cold.”
Additionally, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is offering free rides to and from the Legends Center to ensure accessibility.
Additional cold-weather shelter services are also available at:
- Sulzbacher Center
- 611 East Adams St., 32202 – Men
- 5455 Springfield Blvd. 32208 – Women and Children
- Trinity Rescue Mission, 622 W. Union Street, 32202