As colder temperatures persist around Richmond, people in need of a place to stay can turn to the city’s North Side for relief.
The Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter, located at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave., is currently open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily through April 15.
The Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave. can accommodate up to 66 men and 40 women.
The walk-up shelter is run by Salvation Army Central Virginia in partnership with the city of Richmond, and is the only shelter of its type sponsored by the city.
“This is a ministry of the Salvation Army, and I think it’s a ministry for everybody that’s involved,” said Stephen Batsche, executive director of program services for Salvation Army Central Virginia. “It’s important that we provide this service and this care and compassion throughout this cold weather season.”
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Adults 18 and older receive a cot, dinner, breakfast and restroom access during their stay. Daily Planet Health Services also comes in to conduct check-ins and fill prescriptions.
“Because of people being outside a long time, they are having many challenges with their health conditions,” said Major Christine Kim, area commander for Salvation Army Central Virginia. “They come in, relax, have a shelter over their heads, but they still need medication.”
Majors Christine and Samuel Kim, area commanders of Salvation Army Central Virginia, stand outside the Chamberlayne Avenue shelter on Saturday. “Because of people being outside a long time, they are having many challenges with their health conditions,” she said. “They come in, relax, have a shelter over their heads, but they still need medication.”
The Inclement Weather Shelter opened on Nov. 15, extending the start date from last year’s Dec. 1 beginning to cover a longer period of colder weather.
Up to 66 men and 40 women are accommodated by the shelter. The men’s and women’s facilities are separated, including the entrances.
To date, the men’s facility has hit capacity each night, while the women’s facility is nearing capacity on a nightly basis. Recently, the Salvation Army increased the men’s capacity from 60 to 66 to help meet the need.
On occasion, the cold weather shelter opens for extended hours based on the weather forecast. On Saturday, it opened at 4 p.m. and will run continuously through Tuesday at noon due to anticipated temperatures below 40 degrees.
The Inclement Weather Shelter provides a cot, dinner, breakfast and restroom access daily through April 15.
In addition to the Inclement Weather Shelter, the Chamberlayne facility also hosts the Community Resource and Training Center and a year-round emergency shelter that serves up to 50 men. Regional partners make referrals to the emergency shelter.
For those lacking transportation to the shelter, GRTC has bus routes that stop nearby: northbound stop 686 at Chamberlayne and Fells Street, and southbound stop 708 at Chamberlayne and School Street.
Batsche said most nights are routine at the shelter, but medical emergencies and other challenges do pop up sometimes.
“Safety is really important to us, and I think we just have to be prepared for unanticipated events,” Batsche said. “We have a lot of different personalities that come through the door, so we have to be ready to serve with compassion and care regardless of their background.”
From the Archives: The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has served Richmonders for over 125 years.
Today, enjoy some photos from our archives of the Salvation Army in Richmond over the years.
05-08-1951 (cutline): 'Walkie Coffee' in operation--Captain Larion White, of the Salvation Army, draws a cup of coffee for Fireman Warren Kersey from a "walkie-coffee." Two of the new dispensers, five gallon thermos tanks with spigots, made their debut at St. Catherin's School fire. The containers are automatic and hold 100 paper cups each. They will enable one person at a fire to do the work of five speeding service, taking coffee directly to the men and keeping it warmer.
05-08-1951 (cutline): 'Walkie Coffee' in operation--Captain Larion White, of the Salvation Army, draws a cup of coffee for Fireman Warren Kersey from a "walkie-coffee." Two of the new dispensers, five gallon thermos tanks with spigots, made their debut at St. Catherin's School fire. The containers are automatic and hold 100 paper cups each. They will enable one person at a fire to do the work of five speeding service, taking coffee directly to the men and keeping it warmer.
