Washtenaw Winter Storm: Emergency Shelter

The entire state of Michigan is going to experience temperatures below zero degrees fahrenheit this week, with windchill expected to be -25. These are deadly temperatures. This fundraiser will provide hotel rooms over night for any individuals or families who have been trespassed (banned) from local shelters and/or who have needs that cannot be met by a shelter.

GoFundMe is requiring me to add this information in order to release funds: 

Who I am and where I'm from: My name is Amber Hughson, I am a resident of Ann Arbor who volunteers routinely in local housing related organizations and has relationships with people who are or have been houseless. If you have questions about my identity, you can contact the organization Collective Against White Supremacy. 

Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for: I am a fellow community member, connected to people directly through relationships - GoFundMe staff, I am not sure how else to explain what a relationship to a person is. 

How the funds will be used (be specific as possible): As stated, funds are being used to rent hotel rooms for people who are not housed - this is an emergency given that people are currently sleeping in tents in temperatures below zero. Renting a hotel room involves paying a hotel with money, in exchange for temporary access to a room. 

If you intend to withdraw the money, how you plan to send the funds to the parties you're raising money for or use the money on their behalf: We are doing a combination of things, one being paying the hotels directly via credit card through online hotel retailers (this can sometimes be cheaper), or going to the hotel with the individual and paying for the hotel with cash (the reasoning for this is to not have volunteers' personal credit card information on file with the hotel). In any case, we are saving receipts and are happy to show them to anyone who inquires ([email redacted]). 

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All donations will go directly to lodging for individuals and families experiencing houselessness. Any remaining donations will go toward supplies for the Washtenaw Daytime Warming Center, once the storm passes. 

If you or someone you know needs to access these funds, please e-mail [email redacted] and you'll be connected with someone who works in the community and can help arrange lodging. This is for people who otherwise have nowhere else to go, please use any other resources you have before accessing these funds. 

Information about the County's shelters can be found here and overnight information is pasted below: https://www.washtenaw.org/2789/Winter-Warming-Centers?fbclid=IwAR2Khq8fd3fGW1FOD0ziT2-Q43S1bwu_6ISjYBC0Bd3eLNdxwK_y2Fjg7Rs

"Overnight Warming Centers:
The Delonis Center (312 W Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103) offers an overnight warming center for those experiencing homelessness.

Shelter is available beginning at 6:30 pm every night between November 12, 2018 and April 1, 2019. There is also onsite dinner provided at 5 pm.

The Delonis Center is also providing an option for ensuring homeless individuals throughout the county are able to travel to the warming center after 5 PM and on weekends. Please call [phone redacted], ext. 238 for transportation to the overnight warming center.

Winter Weather Havens
During extreme weather there will be additional shelter locations open during the day. The list of locations will be posted on this site and updated regularly.

For questions [about winter weather havens or the Delonis Center], email Daniel Kelly: [email redacted]"

[Note: Daniel Kelly is in no way related to this GoFundMe fundraiser.]