The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb (UUCD) is pleased to announce that it will begin its third year operating an Overnight Warming Center (OWC) for the DeKalb community beginning January 3, 2026. It will operate from 5pm to 8am each night until March 15, 2026. 

The OWC is located at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Dekalb at 158 North 4th Street. The mission of the center is to provide a safe, warm, and welcoming overnight haven for individuals and families who are unhoused and lacking adequate heat, and providing a sense of belonging. Neighbors who are food insecure may also stop by for a meal without staying the night. Last year alone, 87 individuals received services, amounting to 1112 meals and overnight stays total. Additional services such as a Wednesday Night free dinner have been ongoing since mid-October. 

In January 2024, the UUCD Board approved opening a free Overnight Warming Center in response to a proposal from Marreen Buntaine, Director of the Community Empowerment Campaign, and Dan Kenney, a member of the congregation. Since then, the OWC has offered services to unhoused individuals and those without adequate heating during the coldest nights of the year. 

This year, the UUCD Board of Trustees has implemented a more formal structure of volunteer leadership with a team of five dedicated co-managers, who have worked tirelessly to improve center operations in preparation for this year’s opening. These developments include more coordination with local agencies, while staying with the core mission of providing warmth, nutrition, and rest to those who need it. 

“With recent cuts to federal and local assistance programs such as SNAP and an ever rising cost of living, we expect there to be a significant increase in the need for our services this year. It is at the core of our belief system to serve all those who may need us, regardless of their background or circumstances,” says UUCD Board President Dan Kenney. 

According to 2025 reports, DeKalb County has the 4th most expensive housing market in the state, and the Sheriff’s Office handled 282 evictions per year in the last three

years. For those who rent homes, 40% qualify as falling under the ALICE framework, defined as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, while also being Employed. This may mean being forced to make choices between food, housing, healthcare, transportation, or utilities. Additional cuts in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are expected and may leave even more DeKalb residents in such circumstances. 

Community members and organizations can assist the OWC mission by giving tax-deductible financial contributions at 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-UUCD-Overnight-Warming-Center or checking out the Amazon Wishlist at https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/SXC5A5GUXM63. They can also learn how to volunteer and contribute meals by emailing uucdwarmingcenter@gmail.com.