NASHUA – The United Way of Greater Nashua is calling for volunteers to help support the newly-established Overnight Warming Station, aimed at preventing injury and loss of life during the cold winter months for individuals experiencing unstable housing and homelessness.

The warming station will be located in the cafeteria of the former Elm Street Middle School, 117 Elm St. and will operate nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. from January through March 2025.

Volunteers will assist with a variety of tasks, including monitoring guest belongings, overseeing supply inventory, preparing refreshments and facilitating activities for guests.

The training date is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2025. Anyone interested can sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/StayWarmVolunteer.

Volunteering at the Overnight Warming Station offers the rewarding opportunity to directly support individuals experiencing homelessness. Volunteers will be making a tangible difference by providing a warm, safe environment during the coldest months of the year and playing a key role in ensuring no one is left out in the cold. Volunteers can feel proud to be part of a community-driven solution that shows compassion and kindness to our neighbors in need.

Recent reports indicate a concerning rise in homelessness in the state.

The total number of individuals experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire rose from 1,605 in 2022 to 2,441 in 2023, marking a 52 percent increase, the highest increase in the country.

The number of families experiencing homelessness increased by nearly 50 percent between 2022 and 2023. There was almost a 40 percent rise in the number of youths experiencing homelessness during the same period.

Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness increased by nearly 52 percent between 2022 and 2023 and by 150 percent since 2019.

These statistics highlight the critical need for community efforts like the Overnight Warming Station to provide immediate relief and support to vulnerable populations during the winter months.

Exposure to cold temperatures presents severe health risks for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can lower body temperature to dangerously low levels, causing confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and in extreme cases, death.

Cold temperatures can cause frostbite, which is the freezing of body parts, often the fingers, toes and ears. This can lead to permanent damage or loss of limbs if left untreated.

Cold weather can exacerbate existing health conditions such as asthma, respiratory infections and heart disease.

Individuals forced to remain outside without shelter often struggle to get adequate rest, which can weaken the immune system and impair decision-making.

By providing a safe, warm place for individuals to seek refuge, the Overnight Warming Station in Nashua aims to mitigate these risks and protect those in need from the dangers of extreme cold weather.