North Fairfax News

Fairfax County Health Department issued the following announcement on Nov.24

For 15 years, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has provided shelter for our most vulnerable residents during the winter months. Each, year the program serves over 1,000 individuals who are experiencing homelessness and are exposed to the harsh and dangerously cold weather. This year’s Hypothermia Prevention Program will operate from Dec. 1 through March 31.

If you see someone who is unsheltered and you think is at risk of hypothermia, please contact our non-emergency public safety phone number at 703-691-2131.

“The Hypothermia Prevention Program provides warm shelter, food and other supportive services to connect guests to a variety of basic needs to include clothing, employment, housing and more,” said Tom Barnett, deputy director of the Department of Housing and Community Development. “These services are made possible through the extraordinary assistance and contribution of local non-profits, houses of worship, and dozens of volunteers to work tirelessly to ensure that nobody should have to sleep outside during the winter.”

SHELTER LOCATIONS

Individual adults in need of immediate shelter, food and other supportive services may contact or visit any of the following locations (note that some locations may have limited hours of operation):

• Eleanor Kennedy Shelter (24/7)

  9155 Richmond Highway, Fort Belvoir

• Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church (6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

  8220 Russel Road, Alexandria

• Embry Rucker Community Shelter (24/7)

  11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston

  703-437-1975

• North County Human Services Center (5 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

  1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston

• Bailey’s Shelter and Supportive Housing (24/7)

  5914 Seminary Road, Falls Church

  703-820-7621

• Friends of Falls Church Winter Shelter (6 p.m. to 8 a.m.)

  Contact KStanley@NewHopeHousing.org or LHyman@NewHopeHousing.org

• Rotating Faith Community Sites in Falls Church and Alexandria

  703-820-7621

• Rotating Faith Community Sites in Fairfax and Centreville

  703-352-5090

Adults with children (ages 0-17) should contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for referrals to family-oriented support and services. If you need assistance after hours, please contact or visit one of the county’s family shelters:

• Katherine K. Hanley

  12970 Katherine Hanley Court, Fairfax, VA 22030

  571-522-6800, TTY 703-988-0256

• Embry Rucker Community Shelter

  11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA 20190

  703-437-1975, TTY 711

• Patrick Henry Family Shelter

  3080 Patrick Henry Drive, Falls Church, VA 22044

  703-536-2155, TTY 711

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures where the body begins to lose heat faster than it is produced and the regulatory system begins to fail. An individual with mild hypothermia (core temperature of 94 to 84 degrees) may be conscious, but will be lethargic, apathetic, cool, and pale. An individual with severe hypothermia (when the body’s core temperature drops below 84 degrees) will likely be unconscious with cold skin and rigid muscles.

Look for these warning signs:

• Shivering
• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Fumbling hands
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, please visit the Hypothermia Prevention Program website or contact the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness at 703-324-9492, TTY 711, or OPEHGeneralMail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Fairfax County Health Department