The wind blows snow across the icy road as another wintery night begins to settle over Alton. People huddle under blankets inside their warm houses, passing the chilly evening before a roaring fireplace. But what about those who don’t have houses?
The Alton Overnight Warming Location is a charitable organization located in downtown Alton. According to Dave Burger, a local pastor and a board member, their mission is to provide a warm place for the less fortunate to feel at home.
“There was nowhere that was offering any kind of overnight place where people could get warm,” Burger said. “And that’s where it started for us.”
With the main goal of creating a place that feels like home, the team of volunteers ensure anyone that steps in is welcomed upon entry. They are then given a bed and offered a home cooked meal that volunteers make fresh that day, before having the option to either rest or hang out in the main room where there’s games, socializing and laughter.
“They watch movies or they play games and just do life together,” Burger said.
However, providing a homey shelter isn’t all the Overnight Warming Center does. Since their launch in 2019, the Warming Center has begun to work with local resources to put those in their care into homes. The organization works case by case with each individual or family to find out how the center can help.
“We do wraparound case conferences for people who are experiencing homelessness in Alton,” Burger said.
One of the most important goals for Burger, as well as the other volunteers, is that the less fortunate feel like people once again. The OWL has been seeing around 45 people a night as of recently, and they want every person to feel seen and loved.
“For us, the most beautiful stories are when people come and feel like they have their dignity and they have worth and value,” Burger said.
After six winters, the Alton Overnight Warming Center has expanded to three locations and 220 volunteers since they started. They plan to continue their mission, spreading warmth and love throughout the area. Anyone that wants to volunteer can visit the OWL website.
