Warming center recap: Aurora emergency center serves 174 guests
A city of Aurora winter emergency warming shelter at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora served 174 guests.
Thew Elliott, a shelter volunteer and Wesley music and liturgy director, made the announcement during a May 16 “community conversation” at the church. The event, which recapped the temporary overnight shelter's operations, was attended by community members and city officials.
The city announced the shelter saying, “In partnership with Wesley United Methodist Church, the City of Aurora is providing this shelter to ensure individuals in need have a safe and warm space during extreme cold weather.”
Under a contract with the city, Wesley's temporary overnight warming center was activated from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. when temperatures were at or below 15°F, or when weather conditions were severe due to a combination of wind chill and precipitation. Initial activation was Jan. 3.
After the community meeting opened with a light dinner, Elliott read a 2025-2025 report from Rev. Tammy Scott, shelter director and Wesley lead pastor. She said, “This past year has been one of both challenge and triumph, as we continued our mission to provide a safe, warm haven for our community's most vulnerable during the harsh winter months. This report details how we've made a difference in the lives of so many.”
According to Pastor Scott, more than 50 volunteers and staff served 174 guests — a daily average of 27 — on 42 nights from Jan. 3 to March 5.
Attendance ranged from 8 to 46 guests. Each evening, staff provided guests with a cot, snacks and water. Security was also on-site.
Volunteers and staff put in more than 1,050 hours, including serving more than 950 meals.
An April 12 warming center reunion at Wesley featured a potluck dinner and distribution of backpacks, sunscreen, bug wipes and flashlights.
In her report, Scott thanked supporters from Wesley, City of Aurora, Aid Association for Individuals and Aurora Mutual Aid (AMA), a community coalition that focuses on education, advocacy, and mutual aid for collective liberation.
Conversation attendees included Luma Bonilla-Webster, AMA leader; Keith Larson, newly elected Aurora alderman at large; and Shannon Cameron, chief of staff to Aurora Mayor John Laesch.
Scott reported grants and donations totaled $64,495. City grants accounted for $56,240. Donations included $5,200 from community members; $2,000 from AMA and $1,055 from Wesley.
Expenses totaled $60,077, led by $35,765 for a security contractor.
After Elliott's presentation, he led a tour of the shelter. During a discussion period, attendees asked questions and proposed ideas for ways that people can continue to be involved.
Pastor Scott concluded, “As we look to the future, we are committed to continuing and hopefully expanding our services and reaching even more individuals in need. We are exploring opportunities to extend our hours of operation, offer additional support services and increase our outreach efforts to ensure that everyone in our community knows about the warming center.”