By Jeff Devine
All God’s Children will open its doors as a warming station in Ozark starting Sunday to provide overnight shelter and protection from freezing temperatures for residents in need.
The warming station will operate at All God’s Children, located at 912 Andrews Avenue, on Sunday, January 25; Monday, January 26; and Tuesday, January 27. The facility will be open each night from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.
Shanika Jones, director of All God’s Children, said the warming station was created after recognizing a critical need within the community during periods of extreme cold.
“I saw a need for people to have a safe place during extremely cold weather,” Jones said. “The purpose of the warming station is simple but vital: to save lives by providing a safe, warm shelter during freezing conditions.”
Jones emphasized that when temperatures fall below freezing, vulnerable populations—including the elderly, individuals experiencing homelessness, families in crisis, and those with limited resources—face serious, and sometimes life-threatening, risks.
“No one in our community should be forced to endure dangerously cold temperatures without refuge,” she said. “A warming center is not just a facility—it’s a lifeline.”
Jones also called on the Ozark community to come together to support the effort, noting that continued operation depends on community involvement.
“We need the support of our local businesses, corporate partners, faith-based organizations, and individual citizens,” Jones said. “Support may include monetary donations, supplies, volunteer assistance, food, or other resources that allow us to operate effectively and compassionately.”
She added that the warming station reflects the broader values of the community.
“By coming together, we demonstrate our shared responsibility to protect human life, uphold dignity, and care for those in need,” Jones said. “Together, we can ensure that Ozark remains a community that leads with compassion, unity, and care for all—especially during the harsh winter months.”
Residents seeking additional information about the warming station or ways to assist are encouraged to contact Shanika Reeves at 334-400-3283.
The opening of the center as a warming shelter comes as community leaders have been working to collaborate and provide warm places for those without heat or shelter to take refuge during the brutally cold nights. The city most recently opened the Colvin Center, and Ridgecrest Baptist Church also served as a warming shelter. The cooperation between city and community leaders demonstrates a strong desire to help the residents in our area, and it will hopefully inspire more collaboration on efforts to provide solutions in the future.
