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8 <br /> more community members. Additionally,the funding, staffing and support needs have increased. <br /> Under the coordination of Heather Pack Aponte, the County's Homeless Programs Coordinator, <br /> the CWC program was open 56 nights this winter and served 217 individuals. The program would <br /> not have been possible without the work and collaboration of many dedicated permanent staff, <br /> temporary staff and volunteers. <br /> Caitlin Fenhagen introduced the item. <br /> The commissioners read the following proclamation in turn: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> APPRECIATION FOR COLD WEATHER COT COLLABORATION <br /> WHEREAS, in 2023, Orange County started a Cold Weather Cot program to ensure unhoused <br /> community members had access to safe and warm overnight shelter when temperatures reached <br /> 32 degrees or below; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County has operated this warming shelter every winter since 2023 at a <br /> different, but accessible, location in Chapel Hill that is open to anyone in need throughout the <br /> County; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill provided the former Chapel Hill Police Department at 828 <br /> Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard for this winter's Cold Weather Cot location and between <br /> November and March, 217 individuals were served over 56 nights; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County's Housing Department has coordinated and managed the Cold <br /> Weather Cots program since its start and has seen an increased need and more challenges each <br /> year, with an average overnight population of 40 guests; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Cold Weather Cot program would not be possible without the work of Heather <br /> Pack Aponte, the County's Homeless Programs Coordinator, a dedicated team of temporary <br /> overnight coordinator staff, the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection (SOHRAD) staff, <br /> other Housing department leadership and staff, and from multiple County departments providing <br /> support as needed including Asset Management Services, Social Services, Health, Aging, and <br /> Community Justice Resources; and <br /> WHEREAS, the faith community, including University Baptist Church, University Presbyterian <br /> Church, First Baptist Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Kehilah Congregation, St. Matthew's Episcopal <br /> Church and Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, all provided critical support including the <br /> preparation of nightly home-cooked meals; and <br /> WHEREAS, many community groups and individuals, including Triangle Mutual Aid, Alpha Pie/the <br /> Gathering Place, Community Empowerment Fund, Inter-faith Council for Social Service, and the <br />