Warming and Cooling Centers

Warming and Cooling Centers are places in our community where you can stop in to warm up, cool off, and charge electronics during times of extreme heat or cold.

On a cold January night in 2018, a survey was conducted to provide a snapshot of households experiencing homelessness in our community. On that night…

  • 113 homeless residents were identified in Sussex County
  • Nearly a quarter of those counted were unsheltered

These numbers only include homeless persons that the survey team was able to identify on that night – it’s likely that the true numbers of homeless residents are far higher.

Locations

Regular Business Hours

Sussex County Library Dennis Branch
101 Main Street
Newton, NJ 07860
(973) 383-4810
Mon & Wed: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Manna House
First Presbyterian Church of Newton
54 High Street
Newton, NJ 07860
(973) 383-3302
Meal Served: 11:30 – 12:30

Nights, Weekends, and Holidays

Newton Police Headquarters
39 Trinity Street
Newton, NJ 07860
(973) 383-2525
Always Open

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Even in the absence of severe weather, those in need of emergency housing can come to Newton Police Headquarters at any time or call 2-1-1 to get connected with emergency housing resources through Sussex County Social Services.

Additional Locations

Additional warming and cooling center locations have been identified and will be opened during times of increased demand.

Question: Is a warming / cooling center the same as a shelter?

No. Warming and cooling centers are intended to be safe places to warm up/cool off and charge electronics. There are no accommodations for sleeping, eating, showering, etc.

Question: What is a warming center / cooling center?

During times of extreme heat or cold, a warming or cooling center may be operated as a place of temporary protection from the elements. Warming and Cooling Centers are places in our community where you can stop in to warm up, cool off, and charge electronics during times of extreme heat or cold.

Question: What is the purpose of operating a warming or cooling center?

The mission is the prevention of death and injury from exposure to the elements. This may include:

  • acute trauma from falling objects such as trees
  • injury to extremities due to frostbite
  • hypothermia, the risk for which is aggravated by factors such as age, alcohol consumption, and homelessness.
  • hyperthermia, heat stroke, and dehydration

Activation Protocol

Warming Centers

Warming Centers are activated when a “Code Blue Alert” is issued by Sussex County Emergency Management. An alert will be issued when:

  • Temperatures will reach 25 degrees Fahrenheit or lower without precipitation or 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower with precipitation; or
  • The National Weather Service windchill temperature will be zero degrees Fahrenheit or less for a period of two hours or more.

Code Blue Alerts are declared 24-48 hours prior to onset of qualifying weather conditions whenever possible. Weather forecasts may change with little notice, in which case the alert will be issued as quickly as possible.

Cooling Centers

New Jersey has not adopted any standard protocol for when cooling centers should be activated. Therefore, cooling centers are activated when directed by Emergency Management on an as-needed basis.

Question: How do I know when a warming or cooling center is available?

For information regarding warming and cooling center activations:

  • Through the NJ 2-1-1 website, or by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-877-652-1148
  • Visiting or contacting warming and cooling center locations listed on the NewtonOEM.org website
  • Signup for text message notifications

Question: Can I get assistance with housing without going to the police station?

Housing assistance may be available through the following resources:

Additional assistance for homeless veterans may be available through these resources: