NEW CITY, NY — As temperatures begin to drop, Rockland County officials announced that the county’s Warming Center will open for the 2025–2026 winter season on Friday, November 1, providing a safe and warm refuge for residents experiencing homelessness.
Operated by the Rockland County Department of Social Services (DSS), the Warming Center is located at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Pomona and can accommodate up to 75 homeless single adults each night. DSS also operates a separate emergency family shelter for children and families in need.
“This Warming Center remains a critical resource in protecting our most vulnerable residents from the harsh conditions of winter,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I am incredibly proud of the collective efforts that make this possible, and I commend our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment to the well-being of those in need.”
The Warming Center will open nightly at 5 p.m., allowing guests to stay until the following morning. It will also remain open during daytime hours whenever the temperature, including windchill, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Guests will have access to a range of essential services, including a hot meal, showers, and laundry facilities. DSS staff will also assist with benefits applications, job placement, housing referrals, and other supportive services aimed at helping individuals move toward stability.
To ensure accessibility, transportation will be provided each evening from several community pick-up points:
- Nyack: 7:00 p.m. – Broadway and Burd Street (in front of the First Reformed Church of Nyack)
- Haverstraw: 7:30 p.m. – Commuter Parking Lot across from Village Hall
- Spring Valley: 5:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. – Spring Valley Bus and Train Station
- Pomona: 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday) – Building L Bus Shelter on the Health Center campus
For more information, the DSS Warming Center can be reached between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. at (845) 364-2332. DSS staff are also available at (845) 608-6670 for daytime inquiries.