Temporary Overnight Warming Center Opens in Ellsworth

In response to the rapidly expanding regional crisis, Healthy Acadia, a nonprofit community health organization serving Hancock and Washington counties, convened a broad coalition of municipal agencies, community-serving organizations, local leaders and community members, and key collaborative partners at the state and regional levels. A temporary overnight warming center was identified as a high-priority need to serve our communities during the coldest months of the year, and the partners moved quickly to make this need a reality.

On December 23, 2022, Healthy Acadia, in collaboration with many partners and with broad community support, opened a temporary, overnight warming center at their INSPIRE Recovery Center, located at 24 Church Street, Ellsworth.

The Warming Center is open every evening, including holidays, through April 30, 2023, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., to individuals and families who are unhoused, or who are in need of warmth and safety, in Hancock and Washington counties, as space allows. Coffee, drinks, and snacks are available throughout the night, and a hot meal is served daily at 7:30 p.m.

No pre-registration is necessary; community members are welcome to come to 24 Church Street at anytime between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to get warmth, rest, and/or food.

If you are interested in learning more or finding out if there is space at any given time, please call 207-412-2288 or email warmingcenter@healthyacadia.org. Anyone is also welcome to simply stop by!