A simple act of compassion by two college students, the dedication of warming center staff and the support of a host church came together on a cold night to protect a life.
On Jan. 27, the Brockport Community Warming Center shared a post to their Facebook page detailing two students, whose identities remain unnamed, who found an individual wandering the streets that was not suited for the weather outside. Recognizing the danger, the students stopped and brought the individual into the Brockport Community Warming Center, where staff members were able to provide immediate assistance.
Warming centers are designed to provide temporary shelter and safety during extreme weather conditions, in this case, the extreme cold. They offer safe indoor spaces to provide immediate relief from the extreme cold to prevent further illnesses such as hypothermia and frostbite.
Warming centers aim specifically to support vulnerable people, like the elderly, children and those who do not have access to heat in their home or place of work.
Team lead Michelle O’Dell collaborates with Oak Orchard Health, who works in partnership with the Brockport Community Warming Center at Brockport First Baptist Church to offer a warm and safe place to stay overnight.
“We are technically a Code Blue Center,” O’Dell said, “We work with Monroe County and anytime it is 32 degrees or below for one or more consecutive hours in a 24-hour time period.”
Due to the privacy laws, O’Dell was unable to share specific details about the individual’s identity and condition.
“It was kind of chaotic in the moment and I wish could find out who they are and I hope something like this would locate who they are,” O’Dell said.
In situations like these, making good deeds more visible could have real benefits and inspire positive actions from community members.
In the Rochester area, there are four warming centers available. Individuals can request free transportation from the Regional Transit Service (RTS) for free transportation to a warming center during the Blue Code months.
“The client was abandoned and it was clear that they were outside for hours,” O’Dell said. “They were visibly cold.”
In northern areas, extreme cold is classified as temperatures that are below zero. But it is not only the cold that is dangerous, but the wind chill. Wind chill is the rate of heat loss on the human body from low temperature and wind.
Brockport is often recognized as a college town but also is known for its strong relationship between SUNY Brockport and the surrounding village. Businesses like Lift Bridge Bookstore offer opportunities for students to rent or even buy their textbooks and The Strand Theater offers endless nights of entertainment. These are just a few places for SUNY Brockport students to interact with the community.
Brockport Community Warming Center staff member Anthony Betz explained the immense impact of the students’ act of kindness
“They immediately jumped into help; it was like a domino effect,” Betz said. “It’s like how can we make this situation better. I would have to say that this was the star moment; what we’re actually about.”
With the winter and cold temperatures continuing, Brockport Community Warming Center has extended their hours for additional support.
Oak Orchard Health’s warming center hours are Monday through Thursday 8 p.m., to 8 a.m., 5 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday, then open back up Saturday 2 p.m.
What began as two students stopping to help a stranger became a moment that shows how the Brockport community responds in times of need; from the students who recognized danger, to the staff who responded immediately and to the church who provided the space.
