Press release
Warsaw, NY — January 7, 2025—Building on the success of the Orleans County Warming Center and the Brockport Community Warming Center, Oak Orchard Health (OOH) has continued to work with its Wyoming County community partners to open a new warming center in Warsaw on January 7th. This community collaboration addresses the needs of people without housing when the temperature is below 32 degrees (“Code Blue”).
The new Wyoming County Community Warming Center is at Clarity Warsaw Clinic, 43 Duncan Street, Warsaw, NY. If an individual needs evening shelter during Code Blue, they can call
(585) 340-1355, and they will have a warm place to stay. They will also be referred to the county and local non-profits for additional services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their well-being.
The new Wyoming County Community Warming Center at 43 Duncan Street in Warsaw offers an alternate, safe, warm place with snacks and toiletries and a connection to our community partners and services. Many local partners, including the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, will continue to provide a warm place during Code Blue. Other partners are providing community resources like warm hats, blankets, backpacks and other bare necessities for those who live outside in the inclement weather.
“We could not have made the Wyoming County Community Warming Center a reality without the support of our community partners and funding from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. We are so grateful for their grant and all the volunteers who made this a reality. Oak Orchard will be responsible for staffing and coordinating the opening of this community resource in the region,” said Karen Kinter, CEO, Oak Orchard Health.
“The Oak Orchard Health Warming Center is a powerful example of a community-driven initiative demonstrating the strength of collaboration between nonprofits, community members, local businesses, and government. In rural areas like Wyoming County, where access to critical resources can be limited and inequities in healthcare and housing are prevalent, this project represents a critical support during an extreme time of need. By expanding this model, not only are they ensuring that our most vulnerable residents have a safe place to stay during the harsh times of winter, but they are also providing essential services that help address the root causes of homelessness and healthcare disparities. The Greater Rochester Health Foundation is proud to be a partner on this project and will continue our commitment to supporting and improving equity access to health and well-being for all within our region.” Monica Brown, Greater Rochester Health Foundation, Senior Program Officer.
Wyoming County is designated a Medically Underserved Area and has 16 towns within 596 square miles in the western part of New York. The Wyoming County Warming Center will provide a safe haven for adults during frigid temperatures. If children need shelter, they will not be turned away, but instead, we will work with the Department of Social Services to find them a safe place. Also, it will be available to seniors living in substandard housing that has their power shut off due to their inability to pay. They can find warmth and people to assist them with advocacy, transportation, and resources needed to return to their homes.
In 2023, Oak Orchard successfully opened the Orleans County Warming Center, serving 63 people who used the site on the 110 code blue days. New York State mandates that if the weather drops below 32 degrees, it’s considered “Code Blue,” and the community must provide shelter.
About Oak Orchard Health
Initially founded in 1973, Oak Orchard Health has grown from serving farmworkers into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services to 30,000 people, including primary care, pediatric care, vision and dental care, behavioral health, as well as nutrition and outreach services for everyone located in the communities they serve. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Medina, and Warsaw, New York. With the addition of the Mobile Medical Unit