2018 Homeless Edition

ENVISION EQUITY HOMELESS EDUCATION SPECIAL EDITION
Operation White Flag
By: Kasey Carlson
As the seasons change and temperatures drop
here in Louisville, most of us already have the
heat turned on in our homes and are staying
warm and cozy at night. Unfortunately, not everyone in
Louisville has a warm place to stay at night and as it gets
colder. Hypothermia becomes a safety concern for those
that are homeless and staying on the streets.
The Coalition for the Homeless strives to keep
individuals living outside safe with a program called
Operation White Flag. Operation White Flag is a program
that ensures homeless people can find shelter during
extreme temperatures. When the wind chill is at or below
35 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index is at or above 95
degrees Fahrenheit Operation White Flag goes into effect.
The shelters in Louisville that participate in Operation
White Flag are St. Vincent DePaul, Salvation Army, and
Wayside Christian Mission. St. Vincent DePaul Shelter
can accept men during White Flag and Salvation Army
and Wayside Christian Mission accepts families. The
shelter rules are lax during White Flag which allows
shelters to use overflow areas and accept people that may
not typically be allowed in the shelter due to lack of ID or
behavior issues.
When Operation White Flag is in effect the shelters that
participate fly a white flag outside to let homeless know
they can seek shelter inside. Wayside Christian Mission
has a volunteer Samaritan Patrol that searches for
homeless people who have not yet found shelter during
Operation White Flag. For those who do not wish to go to
the shelter, the Samaritan Patrol will leave food and
blankets. Individuals can also contact the Coalition for the
Homeless Bed-One Stop number at 637-2337 to find out
when Operation White Flag is in effect.
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