Carson City winter shelter program Night Off the Streets to hold volunteer training
Training sessions for volunteers will be conducted by Night Off the Streets, Inc., also known as NOTS, warming center on Sept. 26 and Sept. 28 at the First United Methodist Church in Carson City.
For the 7th year, NOTS will provide a place for those without homes to sleep during the winter nights from November 1 through March 31. A different church in Carson City hosts the warming shelter each month. All community members are welcome to serve as volunteers.
The training sessions cover the roles of volunteers on each of the three shifts during the night. Training will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on Sept. 26, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 28. Volunteers need to attend just one of the two sessions.
For those considering to serve as a volunteer, the sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about NOTS as well.
“Without the support of volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to provide a warm and safe place to sleep for our unhoused community. Our volunteers truly make a difference in people’s lives,” says Jodi Miller, Center Manager.
The NOTS warming center was founded after several homeless people died of hypothermia while sleeping outdoors in Carson City. Since opening the center, no one has died from exposure to the cold in Carson City, according to Craig LaGier, founder of NOTS.
In addition to providing a warm, safe place to sleep, NOTS also connects guests with services that will help them get off the street. Last winter, 12 guests found employment and 8 guests found permanent housing. Fourteen guests were connected with Veteran’s Administration services in Reno.
Pre-registration is not required to attend the training sessions, but is encouraged. The First United Methodist Church, the site of the training, is located at 212 N. Division St. in Carson City.
For more information about the training sessions, contact NOTS at notscarson@outlook.com or call 775-600-2215. To learn how to volunteer for NOTS, come to one of the training sessions or read the information on www.notscarson.org.