From 6 a.m. to around 8 p.m. on Jan. 14, John Cooper subjected himself to the harsh conditions homeless people deal with during the winter.
The executive director of the Niagara Gospel Mission rucked a 34-mile route across Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, and the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield, raising awareness for homelessness and the need for Code Blue weather alerts to get them out of the cold.
“Our Code Blue van goes out on this 34-mile route each evening to catch people who are walking around in the snow and may freeze on their way to seek shelter,” Cooper said. “Niagara Gospel Mission drives this route every day it is below 32 degrees, and we want to be known as the mission that can provide hope and aid in dire times.”
The mission launched its mobile Code Blue program back in December, receiving a new van and mission staff proactively seeking out homeless individuals when a Code Blue event occurs. For those who refuse transportation, the staff delivers care packages containing a blanket, hats, gloves and snacks.
The route Cooper took mirrored what the mission’s van takes, starting with DeVeaux Woods and Whirlpool state parks. After passing the Gospel Mission at 1317 Portage Road, he went by Community Missions on Buffalo Avenue, made a stop at Raymond Klimek Veteran’s Park on River Road in North Tonawanda, passed the 7-Eleven on Oliver and Wheatfield streets, passing by the Walmart before making another stop at Platter’s, then made his way back on Niagara Falls Boulevard to where it becomes Porter Road. His endpoint was the Veteran’s Memorial in Hyde Park.
“If we didn’t have a van, they would have to walk here,” Cooper said.
Aside from wearing extra clothes, Cooper brought along trail mix, beef jerky, and water. He took two hour-long breaks during his walk, with temperatures starting at 18 degrees, having a high of 23, and ending at 17 degrees.
Mission staff would check in on Cooper with his father following him on the last leg of Porter Road. He did encounter one homeless person who refused pick up, with other people he encountered not wanting to talk due to the cold.
State regulations for Code Blue have shelters open when the actual temperature reaches 32 degrees and under. Since Niagara Gospel Mission does not accept state or federal funding, it starts taking in homeless people when the real feel temperature reaches 32 degrees. Volunteers then drive the van along the route picking up anyone they find.
Niagara Gospel Mission has a Code Blue capacity of 60, with an average per night of 17 sleeping in the former YMCA gymnasium. The average number per night for the mission’s year-round overnight shelter is 24.
The homeless can stay at the shelter during the day if they take a shower and do a job assignment for the mission. They are given breakfast in the morning, hot coffee to warm them up, are welcome to come to dinner offered at 5 p.m., and have conversations with staff at night.
“I’m not opposed to other things to raise awareness,” Cooper said, his feet still healing from all that walking.