Niagara Gospel Mission launches new Code Blue program

Niagara Gospel Mission Press Release and Photo

Over the past week Niagara Gospel Mission has launched a new Code Blue program.

Code Blue is a New York state program that allows shelters and other drop-in centers to open their doors to as many as they can squeeze in to provide shelter for individuals whenever the temperatures drop below 32°F. As winter has emerged in Western New York, Niagara Gospel Mission made it a priority to be prepared to take the lead in Code Blue in all of Niagara County.

With the weather reaching below freezing on multiple nights over the past week, Niagara Gospel Mission has begun to open its doors to those in need. The staff and team at the mission have already been able to see the positive impact this has had on many people’s lives.

Ken Good, Code Blue director at the mission, said, “It has been a great experience working with those in our community in need of aid. We here at Niagara Gospel Mission hope to continue to spread the word of the assistance we are seeking to provide during the cold winter months.”

Niagara Gospel Mission has already been averaging around 12 people per night and has been seeing growth each evening as word is spreading in the community. The mission team also has a QRF (quick reaction force) van it has been driving around Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda and other parts of the county to help find any homeless persons looking for shelter.

In addition to driving around seeking those who need shelter, the team in the QRF van has also been delivering care packages to those individuals who refuse transportation, containing a blanket, hats, gloves and snacks.

Good said, “Our goal is that no homeless person in Niagara County has to spend a night out in the freezing weather. Hypothermia is a leading cause of death among people experiencing homelessness, and our program is designed to help prevent this as the winter continues.”

Every night it is below 32°F at Niagara Gospel Mission, the agency will house any homeless men looking for shelter, inside the gym at 1317 Portage Road, Niagara Falls.

Niagara Gospel Mission currently has space for up to 60 people per night. It also has been working alongside Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier to help shuttle women and children seeking shelter.

Each person who enters Niagara Gospel Mission for Code Blue in the evening is given a warm blanket, hot coffee, cold water, snacks, dinner, breakfast, showers and, most importantly, hope.

If you are in the City of Niagara Falls and would like to donate or know more about the Niagara Gospel Mission, call 716-205-8805, ext. 107. The Niagara Gospel Mission exists to rebuild the City of Niagara Falls through the rebuilding of lives and the reviving of hearts to everyone it meets in the community.

Niagara Gospel Mission is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit providing services to the homeless and poor. Visit niagaragospelmission.org to learn more about current services and plans to develop services for homeless women.