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Warming Centers

Providence Emergency Management Agency


Warming Centers


Exposure to extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. We want all residents to stay safe during the winter months.

During extreme cold temperatures, PEMA requests that warming centers open to provide community members with access to warm spaces throughout the City. See the map below to find the location nearest you.

What is a warming center?

Warming centers provide temporary relief from extreme cold temperatures in public spaces where community members already gather.

What to expect:

  • Warming centers are safe and secure places for individuals or families to stay warm. They are located in heated buildings that are open to the public and often have pre-existing programming.
  • Warming centers serve as a place for the community to gather.

What not to expect:

  • A warming center is not a permanent shelter. There are no housing, medical, or behavioral health services.
  • A warming center cannot accommodate pets. Only registered service animals are allowed.
  • A warming center does not provide food. PEMA equips the centers with bottled water, but there is no guarantee or requirement for water distribution.

Warming Center Locations



Purple Marker Community Libraries | Red Marker Other Warming Centers | Orange Marker Emergency Warming Centers

Warming Centers

Purple Marker Community Libraries

Fox Point Library
90 Ives Street
401-331-0390

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Mt. Pleasant Library
315 Academy Avenue
401-272-0106

Temporarily Closed
Monday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Olneyville Library
1 Olneyville Square
401-421-4084

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
401-455-8000

Monday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Rochambeau Library
708 Hope Street
401-272-3780

Monday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Smith Hill Library
31 Candace Street
401-272-4140

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

South Providence Library
441 Prairie Avenue
401-467-2619

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Wanskuck Library
233 Veazie Street
401-274-4145

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Washington Park Library
1316 Broad Street
401-781-3136

Monday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Get Directions

Red Marker Other Warming Centers

Crossroads Rhode Island
A local, “one stop shop” where individuals and households experiencing homelessness can begin the process of accessing housing, supportive services, and emergency shelter.
160 Broad Street
Open 24/7
Get Directions

Emmanuel House
239 Public Street
7:00PM – 7:00AM
Get Directions

Federal Hill House
9 Courtland Street
Monday-Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Get Directions

Providence Rescue Mission
627 Cranston Street
Open 24/7 during extreme cold conditions
Get Directions

Youth Pride
743 Westminster Street
9:00AM – 1:00PM; 3:00PM – 7:00AM
Get Directions

Orange Marker Seasonal Emergency Pop-Up Sites

Seasonal Emergency Pop-Up Sites are temporary locations that open as needed during periods of severe or inclement weather. These sites open at the discretion of their operators, do not follow a fixed schedule, have varying accommodations, and may open for only a few hours or days at a time. Access: To access an Emergency Pop-up Site, individuals should go directly to the address listed.

Mathewson Street UMC
134 Mathewson Street
Hours: 7pm-7am
Operating when “feels like” temperature is below 22 degrees
Capacity: 16 beds
Get Directions

Community Church of Providence
444 Lloyd Avenue
Hours: 7pm-7am
Operating when “feels like” temperature is below 22 degrees
Capacity: 16 beds
Get Directions

Open Table of Christ UMC
1520 Broad/301 Alabama
Hours: 7pm-7am
Operating when “feels like” temperature is below 22 degrees
Capacity: 16 beds

Get Directions


Cold Weather Safety Tips


Remember to take steps to prepare for cold weather! Take caution and check on your neighbors, older adults, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness.

Want to request a PEMA Winter Weather Preparedness presentation and receive some winter preparedness items? Email preparedness@providenceri.gov.

Dress for the weather:

  • Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
  • Water-resistant coat and boots
  • Scarf that covers face and mouth + gloves or mittens

Prepare your home:

  • Keep your thermostat no lower than 65°F to prevent freezing pipes
  • Weather-proof your windows and doors
  • Store food, water, and supplies to prepare for power outages
  • Test smoke and CO detectors and have your chimney inspected
  • Never use stoves or ovens for heating

Prepare your car:

  • Stay off roads during snowstorms if possible
  • Clear your exhaust pipe of snow and ice
  • Make an emergency kit for your car! Include blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, water, and snacks
  • Do not let your gas tank get below half full to avoid icing
  • Check your tire pressure, antifreeze levels, and replace windshield-wiper fluid with wintertime mixture

PVD311 | RI Energy Power Outages: 1-855-743-1102 | Rhode Island Special Needs Registry

Prepare for Cold Weather

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