CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Corpus Christi is helping to shelter those most vulnerable during this Arctic weather event that is sweeping the Coastal Bend.
More than a dozen warming centers opened their doors to those needing relief from the cold. They are expanding that care Monday evening with an additional refuge center at the Corpus Christi Gym on Cabaniss Road.
According to Mayor Paulette Guajardo, this location will be free to anyone seeking refuge from the cold (even those with pets!), and it will be open around the clock through Wednesday at noon.
"Everyone if needed has somewhere to go, we are a compassionate city, we love our residents, I don't care if there are 4 people here the entire night or 400, we want to make certain, everyone has somewhere to go," Guajardo said.
Folks like the American red cross are helping provide the essentials from cots to warm blankets to toiletries.
Patrick Basset said this is his first time being homeless and, as the cold cam in, he didn't know where to go for shelter.
"Last night was one of the most brutal nights I've had in a long time," said Basset. "I was trying to find someplace warm to stay, but there really was no place. With the wind and everything it finds a way to get around anything and everything"
Basset is exactly why the city has opened warming centers like the Corpus Christi Gym, Ben Garza Gymnasium and others spread around town. He's not the only one taking advantage of the resource during this winter weather.
Dorothea Castañón is the managing librarian over at the McDonald library which, on Monday, was acting as a warming center as well.
"We've see people come in," Castañón said. "Actually at 8 o'clock this morning there was a person who came in."
She said whether its warmth, Wi-Fi or a peaceful environment they are seeking out she is happy to be able to open her doors to those in need and hopes they utilize it.
"99% of the people that have come in this morning had been people who had inadequate heating in their home," Castañón said.
For a full list of warming centers click here.
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