Pomona, NY – Rockland County’s seasonal Warming Center opened on Sunday, November 1, providing overnight shelter, meals and support services for adults experiencing homelessness during the colder months.
The facility, located at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Pomona, is operated by the Rockland County Department of Social Services (DSS). It has the capacity to accommodate up to 75 single adults each night.
County Executive Ed Day and Department of Social Services Commissioner Patrick Frawley announced the seasonal opening on October 21. The Warming Center began accepting guests at 5 p.m. on November 1, with overnight accommodations available through the following morning.
The center is intended to provide temporary protection from cold weather while also connecting individuals with services that may help address longer-term housing, employment and financial needs.
In addition to overnight shelter, guests have access to hot meals, showers and laundry facilities. Department of Social Services staff members are available to assist with applications for public benefits, employment opportunities, housing referrals and other support programs.
The county has also established guidelines for daytime operations during particularly cold weather. The facility remains open during daytime hours when the outdoor temperature, including wind chill, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
During other weather conditions, the center generally operates as an overnight facility rather than a full-time daytime shelter.
The Department of Social Services has arranged transportation from several communities throughout Rockland County to help individuals reach the Pomona facility.
In Nyack, transportation is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the intersection of Broadway and Burd Street, in front of the First Reformed Church of Nyack.
In the Village of Haverstraw, transportation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the commuter parking lot across from Village Hall.
Spring Valley residents can access transportation at the Spring Valley Bus and Train Station, with scheduled pickups at 5:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Transportation is also available from the Building L bus shelter at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center campus in Pomona. That pickup is scheduled for 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The county’s announcement does not specify the operating days for the Nyack, Haverstraw or Spring Valley pickup services. Individuals planning to use transportation should contact DSS to confirm the schedule and availability.
The Warming Center is designed specifically to serve single adults experiencing homelessness. Rockland County also operates a separate Emergency Family Shelter for families with children.
The two programs address different shelter needs. Residents seeking assistance for a family should contact the Department of Social Services to determine which services are available and appropriate for their circumstances.
The county’s seasonal program provides more than a place to sleep. By offering access to employment assistance, housing referrals and public benefits, staff members can help connect guests with resources intended to improve their longer-term circumstances.
The county has not announced a closing date for the 2026–2027 Warming Center season in its current public notice. The notice also does not specify whether advance registration or identification is required, so individuals should confirm any admission requirements directly with DSS.
Residents who need shelter, know someone who may need assistance or have questions about the program can contact the Rockland County Department of Social Services at 845-364-2332 or 845-608-6670.
Additional information is available through the Rockland County government’s official website at www.rocklandcountyny.gov.