Kearney Center Expands Services as Dangerous Cold Hits Tallahassee

Shelter takes in more people to protect against deadly winter conditions in the Big Bend region.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:15pm

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As a brutal cold front moves through the Tallahassee area, the Kearney Center is extending its services and opening its doors to anyone needing a warm, safe place. The shelter is offering day services to keep people from being sent back into freezing temperatures, after four people experiencing homelessness have died this cold season, including two this week.

Why it matters

The Kearney Center's expanded services are crucial to protecting the region's vulnerable homeless population from the life-threatening dangers of the extreme cold. With temperatures dropping into the teens and low 20s, the shelter's efforts to keep people safe could mean the difference between life and death.

The details

In response to the dangerous cold, the Kearney Center is allowing clients to stay inside during the day instead of having to check out and back in an hour later. The shelter is also fully staffed and stocked with essential supplies like hygiene items and blankets, thanks to community donations. CEO Sonya Wilson says the shelter is prepared for an influx of people, including many experiencing homelessness for the first time, and will not turn anyone away.

  • The Kearney Center has already seen four people experiencing homelessness die this cold season, with two of those deaths occurring this week.
  • The shelter is extending its services as temperatures in Tallahassee are expected to drop into the teens and low 20s.

The players

Kearney Center

A homeless shelter in Tallahassee, Florida that provides emergency housing, meals, and other services to people in need.

Sonya Wilson

The CEO of the Kearney Center, who is overseeing the shelter's expanded efforts to protect the homeless population during the dangerous cold weather.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want people to get dormant and think that just because they've stayed in the cold, and they've weathered it the last week, that they're going to be able to weather the next couple of nights.”

— Sonya Wilson, CEO, Kearney Center

“More people experiencing homelessness for the very first time, so they're scared.”

— Sonya Wilson, CEO, Kearney Center

What’s next

The Kearney Center will continue to monitor the weather and adjust its services as needed to keep the homeless population safe during the dangerous cold snap.

The takeaway

The Kearney Center's efforts to expand services and keep people sheltered during the extreme cold highlight the critical role that homeless shelters play in protecting the most vulnerable members of the community from life-threatening winter conditions.