What is Hypothermia Prevention Week (HYPO)?
Every year during the winter season, FACETS hosts a Hypothermia Prevention Program (HYPO) in partnership with local churches and religious groups that shelter individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. Churches help by hosting the shelter for a week to provide a safe haven for individuals currently experiencing homelessness in order to protect them from the cold weather.
When is HYPO Week?
This year, RGC is partnering with FACETS from March 23-30, 2025. We will help provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the guests by creating a safe and warm place for them to stay, cooking and serving homemade meals, and sharing the love of Christ through hospitality, company, conversation, and compassion.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways to help with HYPO Week. You can volunteer for one of the shifts below and invite your family, community group, or friends to serve alongside you! Please reach out to Kevin Cooner or Sarah Cooner to sign up for a volunteer shift or for more information on how and where you can serve. Because HYPO is a low-barrier entry shelter, meaning that guests under the influence of alcohol or drugs or experiencing mental health challenges are welcome, all volunteers interacting with guests must be at least at the age of 16 years old and serve with their parent. Younger volunteers are welcome to participate by preparing meals offsite.
Volunteer Shifts:Â
Breakfast Shift (5:00-7:30 a.m.)
- We provide breakfast for the guests before they leave the building for the day. You can sign up to purchase, prepare, serve, and clean up a hot breakfast.
Lunch (Sandwich dropped off by 9:00 p.m. the night before)
- We give the guests the option to build a to-go lunch before they leave each morning. You can be responsible for purchasing, assembling, bagging, and dropping off pre-made sandwiches the night before.
First Evening Shift (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
- We welcome guests, interact with them, play games with them, help with dinner, and clean up as needed. You will help FACETS staff with setup before and after dinner.
Dinner Shift (5:30 p.m. or earlier if cooking onsite)
- We have dinner ready at 6:00 p.m. Dinner shifts require volunteers to purchase ingredients for the meal and either cook at home and bring it at 5:30 p.m. or come earlier to cook onsite.
Second Evening Shift (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
- We serve dinner to the latecomers and help the kitchen shift volunteers clean up. You can use this time to interact with the guests who are awake or take a trip to Giant to purchase supplies if they are needed for breakfast
Overnight (11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.) (optional)
- This shift is optional, considering FACETS staff will be onsite during the nights. However, if you would like to stay the night and interact with any guests who are awake (if appropriate), help the FACETS staff with perimeter safety checks every hour, and begin brewing coffee at 5:00 a.m. to help the morning shift, you are both welcome and encouraged to do so.
Donating Supplies
- If you are not able to volunteer for one of these slots, you can donate supplies needed for the week! Please reach out to Kevin Cooner or Sarah Cooner for more information.