Cold weather shelter seeking volunteers

For those in the Sky Valley who wish to start the new year by giving back to the community, Monroe Cold Weather Alliance Director Amber Mehta is holding two separate training events to educate volunteers interested in helping at the cold weather shelter.

Monroe's Cold Weather Shelter is open any time the temperature dips below 32 degrees, and like many nonprofits, relies on volunteers to keep its doors open. Shelter volunteers are required to have background checks and specific training, which will be provided at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and again 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11. The training sessions will take place at the New Hope Fellowship Church at 1016 W. Main St. in Monroe, where the shelter is located.-á

Mehta's cold weather shelter serves the homeless in Monroe between Nov. 15 and March 15 any time the weather forecast predicts temperatures below 32 degrees. It is open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and can accommodate up to 14 people a night ' sometimes more if needed. Cots are provided by the Monroe Fire Department, which has access to more. The shelter also allows clients the opportunity to take a shower.

Mehta hopes to create a robust team of volunteers willing to cover shifts 7:30 p.m. to midnight, midnight to 4 a.m. and 4-8 a.m., each night the shelter is open. Donations to help support the cold weather shelter can be made through Take the Next Step, which serves as the organization's fiscal agent.

For more information about the volunteer training, visit www.facebook.com/events/1038208729576965/. For more information about the Monroe Cold Weather Alliance, visit www.facebook.com/MonroeColdWeatherShelter/?fref=ts.