Below Zero Temperatures Expected This Weekend: The SBS Warming Center Will Be Open Friday, January 23rd Through Sunday, January 25th

January has fully settled in, and with below-zero temperatures expected this weekend, the cold can feel especially unforgiving in the North Country. Snow-covered roads, long nights, and dangerously low temperatures make this time of year even more challenging — particularly for those without a safe, warm place to go. In response to the extreme cold, the SBS Warming Center will be open continuously from Friday, January 23rd through Sunday, January 25th, ensuring that no one has to face these conditions alone.

At S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. (SBS), we want our community to know: you are not alone, and there is a place for you here.

Throughout the winter months, our Warming Center is always open every night from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, offering a safe, welcoming space for anyone in need of overnight shelter. No referral is required. Whether you’re seeking warmth, rest, or connection, our doors are open.

What to Expect at the Warming Center

As the only Code Blue emergency shelter in St. Lawrence County, SBS remains committed to being a consistent and compassionate resource during the coldest months of the year. Our Warming Center operates nightly from November 1 through March 31, and is designed to meet both immediate needs and longer-term support goals.

Guests can expect:

• A warm, safe place to sleep overnight

• Coffee, snacks, and light meals provided

• Access to showers and laundry facilities

• Health Home Care Coordinators on-site to assist with enrollment and case management

• Limited transportation available Monday–Friday to Seaway Valley and DSS

Families or women with children are encouraged to call ahead so we can best accommodate your stay.

Warmth, Community, and Routine — Every Day

Beyond overnight shelter, SBS offers consistent daytime support that helps bring warmth and structure to winter days.

Every weekday morning, community members are invited to warm up with coffee and conversation — a simple but meaningful way to start the day with connection and care. These mornings provide a chance to build relationships, reduce isolation, and feel grounded before heading back out into the cold.

In addition, a community meal is provided every Wednesday, offering nourishment and a shared space to connect with others. These meals are about more than food — they’re about dignity, belonging, and reminding one another that we are part of something larger.

Rooted in Community Care

Founded in 1997 as a one-room Drop-In Center, S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. began with a mission to support individuals living with mental illness as they transitioned back into the larger community. Today, our peer-run nonprofit continues to honor that grassroots mission while expanding services to support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of all community members.

Through person-centered relationships, advocacy, education, recovery programs, and affordable housing, we remain committed to walking alongside people — one step at a time.

Facing Winter Together

January can be unforgiving, but community care saves lives. The Warming Center, morning coffee hours, and weekly meals are just a few of the ways SBS shows up — consistently, compassionately, and without judgment.

If you or someone you know needs support this winter, please reach out.

S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc.📞 315-394-0597

Let’s continue to face the cold season together — with warmth, dignity, and care.