Upper Perk Homelessness Coalition Logo
The Open Link and our partners at The Upper Perk Homelessness Coalition (UPHC), operated the area's first Code Blue shelter during the winter of 2024-2025, opening every night that a Code Blue declaration was called by Montgomery County.* This year, we are preparing to operate the Code Blue shelter once again. In our area, we are seeing an equal number of men and women who are unhoused and we are seeing an increased number of seniors who have been evicted and are struggling to find new housing. While homelessness might seem like a “big city” problem, nationally, homelessness increased 12.1% in just one year (2022 to 2023). The pandemic and lingering mental health issues, along with the high cost of housing have been identified as factors in that significant jump during this period.
*Code Blue declarations are called by Montgomery County when the temperature reaches 32 degrees or below for more than a 2 hour period or overnight. Code Blue can also be called for inclement weather conditions such as wind, rain, snow and ice.
Last winter, the shelter operated for 91 nights. It was not possible without the dedication and support of the wonderful volunteers, donors and meal makers from the community. This year, we hope to house both men and women and will need even more help to make it happen! If you are interested in helping out, please click on one (or more) of the links below.
Here are some ways you can help.
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Needed to help operate the Code Blue Shelter each evening. There will be four shifts: 7:30PM to 11PM (3 volunteers), 10:45PM to 2:00AM (two volunteers), 1:45AM to 5AM (two volunteers) and 4:45AM to 8:30AM (three volunteers). Volunteers will greet guests, serve dinner, oversee shelter during rest period, clean-up shelter each day, inventory supplies and interact with the unhoused. Training is provided. Clearances are needed. To sign-up, fill out the volunteer interest sheet.
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Dinner will be needed each evening that the Code Blue shelter is open. If you and your group would like to prepare a meal for 10 to 15 people, please fill out the form on the Upper Perk Code Blue website by clicking on Prepare a Meal above.
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The Open Link is acting as the fiscal manager for donations related to the Code Blue shelter. If you would like to make a donation to support the shelter or those who are unhoused in our community, please use The Open Link's special donation link above. The Open Link is a 501c3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law and The Open Link is a registered charity with the State of PA.
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The Open Link and the Upper Perk Homelessness Coalition have created an Amazon Wishlist of needed items to open and operate the shelter for the 2025-2026 season. These are the most needed items currently, but check back often as needs change.
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Homelessness is on the rise across the country and it is present here in the Valley. It is often misunderstood or based on stereotypes. In order to break the cycle of homelessness, we all need to advocate on behalf of those who are unhoused. The first step is to learn more about why someone becomes homeless, what are the barriers that keep them homeless, and how we as a community can help reduce or remove those barriers.
