Centers in Butler offer warmth and more during the cold winter months
James “Earl” Scott spends winter nights at the Glade Run Lutheran Services warming center on Diamond Street in Butler, and during the day he goes to the nearby Grapevine Center, which provides a warm place to stay, as well as support and respect.
The Grapevine’s drop-in center at 140 N. Elm St. provides facilities to those in need, including a place to shower, a warm cup of coffee and an occasional meal, along with entertainment like a large screen TV and a pool table. These amenities mean a great deal to Scott.
“I come here every day,” said James “Earl“ Scott. “I get to hang out, drink some coffee and eat sometimes. It’s really nice to have a place to go.”
Scott is currently homeless, and said he wouldn’t have somewhere to go during the day if it wasn’t for Grapevine. Sue Funk, of the Grapevine Center, said the center helps provide support to people who end up there for one reason or another.
“We’re peer support,” Funk said. “We do a lot to help the community, including meals, free coffee and helping with needs like hygiene products.”
The days would be much longer for Scott if he had to do it without Grapevine.
“I can spend the day here, then I just have to worry finding a place to go until the warming center opens at 10,” said Scott, who is hoping to have an apartment of his own soon. Until then he spends his evenings at the library. “It’s not just a place to hang out,” he said. “It’s a nice place to be.”
Paul Jones has been with Grapevine for 14 years, working in a peer support role and has multiple jobs at the center. He said he is available as transportation as well as general help at the Grapevine Center.
“I will drive one of the vans, take them to Walmart or Goodwill. If people need to heat something up, I put it in the microwave. If they need hygiene products, I’ll go get them for them,” said Jones. “We all do what we need to do to make sure we take care of our community.”
The center can see between 30 and 50 people come through its doors each day. The cold weather can sometimes increase the need.
“We try to be available to the community when just about everything else is closed, and we do our best to be open for the people to be able to come and have a place to hang out during the day,” Jones said.
In addition to offering a place to hang out, visit with friends and get a cup of coffee, Grapevine also provides services to assist in recovery, find housing and preparing to find a job.
They are able to do this work thanks to funding from the state, grants and donations from the community.
Public donations in the way of food and clothing are welcome, as well as monetary donations.
“It’s a group effort,” said Funk. “People will donate money, churches and others will donate food. And of course, with this cold weather, gloves, hats and coats are always welcome. We do ask the clothing be new with tags.”
The camaraderie of being with friends and having a place to socialize is a bright spot in the day for client Chris Hilliard, who is also currently unhoused.
“It’s awesome,” said Hilliard. “I can get a warm shower and then hang out with friends. It’s so much better than being out in the cold.”
