Volunteers from around Carmichael are joining forces to better serve the city’s homeless population. For the second year in a row, Carmichael’s Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) is providing warm meals, beds, and showers to dozens of homeless men and women as a part of its Winter Sanctuary program.

The HART Winter Sanctuary program began on December 30, 2018, and will last until March 2, 2019. In addition to offering homeless people free food and a cot, the Winter Sanctuary helps homeless people connect with counselors and nurses.

Volunteers say they hope this charity program will help homeless people transition into homes of their own. To make this goal a reality, program organizers say they need to build trust with those who seek aid in their shelter.

It appears this Winter Sanctuary is having a positive impact. Since last year’s program, 14 formerly homeless people have moved into temporary housing, and one person now has a permanent house.

In addition to area churches and non-profits, HART works closely with many other organizations such as Sacramento Self Help Housing and ATLAS. Every Thursday, doctors from Mercy-San Juan Hospital visit this HART center to provide free medical screenings and referrals.

The intake location for this year’s Winter Sanctuary is at the Church on Cypress located at 5709 Cypress Avenue. People who want to enter the HART Winter Shelter should get to this church before 5:00PM.

For more information on the Carmichael HART program, please visit this official website.