KISSIMMEE, Fla. — As the cold weather continues to strike across central Florida, two cold weather shelters in Osceola County opened their doors to give those on the street a warm place to spend the night.

The First United Methodist Church in St. Cloud and Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa de Vida in Kissimmee, each set up over 25 cots for men, women and children seeking shelter Thursday and Friday nights.

What You Need To Know

  • Two cold weather shelters open their doors Thursday and Friday evenings in Osceola County for individuals experiencing homelessness

  • The two churches, the First United Methodist Church in St. Cloud and Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa de Vida in Kissimmee each had 25 cots ready to go for those needing a place to sleep

  • In the event that they exceed the capacity for each shelter, county officials say they have the means to adjust if need be  

“I’d rather be here or nowhere,” Kitty Akins said of the cold weather shelter at Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa de Vida.

Homeless in Osceola County for the past three to four years, Akins is among those spending the night at the only cold weather shelter in Kissimmee.

She said she and her husband walked over an hour and a half from downtown Kissimmee to secure two warm beds for the night.

“Actually, to tell you the truth, we were wishing we could’ve been here yesterday and the day before when it was rainy,” she said.

That’s why she didn’t hesitate for one second when she found out the church was opening its doors again.

This is Akin’s second time staying at the church, which first turned into a cold weather shelter on Jan. 7-8.

When recalling her experience from her first time there, she said “they were awesome, you know, the clothes, the food, the coffee.”

Daniel Tohorton serves as Osceola County’s Emergency Management Officer III, and his team helps coordinate Osceola’s cold shelter program. 

He said none of this would be possible without the help of nonprofits and churches in the area.

But despite their help, Tohorton said there is still a great need for these types of services, given Osceola County’s size.

“If there’s other churches out here that can open up their doors like Casa de Vida has opened up the doors, or St. Cloud First United Methodist Church in St. Cloud, to welcome the people that don’t have a place to go to keep warm whether they live in their house or on the streets,” Tohorton said.

Until then, those seeking shelter at these two churches can get breakfast and dinner, a warm shower and the clothes and hygiene kits that they need. 

The maximum capacity for each shelter stands at 25 people, but Tohorton says they were ready to adjust if there was a greater need.

“The St. Cloud First United Methodist Church location does have the capacity or the ability to actually expand because they do have two different floors," he said. "And if it’s the case where we’re overwhelmed here by the numbers, we’ll just coordinate with the transportation, let the church know that hey we have these individuals coming over to your area."

According to Tohorton, those seeking transportation can ride any LYNX bus for free by simply telling the driver that they’re going to a cold weather shelter for the night.

According to an Osceola County news release, pets will be temporarily sheltered at Osceola Animal Services.

Guests with pets will need to call Animal Services at 407-742-8000, and are being asked to press option 4 to request pet transport by an Animal Services Officer to the animal shelter.

For guests staying both nights at either shelter, county officials recommend keeping their pet at the temporary animal shelter until Saturday morning.