Aurora pastor honored for sheltering homeless during cold

The Rev. Tammy Scott of Oswego, lead pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora, was awarded the Mayor's Award of Excellence by Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin.

The presentation took place during the Jan. 14 Aurora city council meeting. The citation said, “For your stalwart efforts to assist our most vulnerable neighbors by offering the Aurora Warming Center as temporary respite from the elements and providing nights of rest and comfort.”

Since the day after Thanksgiving, with a team of 33 volunteers and staff members, Wesley has housed more than 100 people including 98 individuals and three families overnight on selected nights when the center was activated by the city. Attendance has ranged from six to 33 guests.

“The city of Aurora is proud and grateful to partner with Wesley this season to provide a safe, warm overnight shelter when temperatures drop below a 15-degree F threshold,” the mayor said.

To find additional shelter, families have been connected with case workers and community members.

In addition to a grant from the city, about 50 community members have contributed from $10 to $250 to provide what's needed above what the city provides. According to Scott, she is talking to local agencies to connect guests with obtaining IDs, medications, or mental health care.