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Extreme Cold Weather Shelter open to anyone who needs it, shelter chief says

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The Alms House, formerly used by low-security inmates at the Strafford Jail, is located on the county complex at 276 County Farm Road in Dover.. (Courtesy photo)

DOVER - The director of the county's Extreme Cold Weather Shelter wants everyone to know that the shelter is not exclusive to folks who might be homeless, but to anybody who needs shelter from this weekend's upcoming storm.

If someone loses power and heat, or if a furnace blows out, shelter director Tory Jennison said they are always welcome at the Alms House, located on the county complex at 276 County Farm Road in Dover.

Jennison, the director of Population Health and the Integrated Delivery Network for the Strafford County/Seacoast area, said there are no restrictions on when they show up, either.

"We are a 24/7 shelter," she said today.

Originally scheduled to be open from today at 2 p.m. till Tuesday at 10 a.m., shelter officials say it will now be open till Wednesday at 10.

While staying at the shelter, folks will be fed by Strafford County Jail Services, Jennison said, adding the jail food is very good.

The Alms House also has bathing and laundry facilities.

For today Jennison said a staff of five is ready to receive up to 20 clients, but none will be turned away. If more beds are needed, more staff will be brought in.

About a dozen rooms have been prepared for clients seeking shelter, most of them doubles, but some that accommodate four or five suitable for families.

She said if they need more beds they still have the Public Health Network Trailer from the city of Rochester.

"We may run out of real estate but we won't run out of beds," Jennison added.

Transportation is available by shuttle from the Amtrak platform at the Dover Transportation Center (train & bus station) on or around every hour from 2-8 p.m. today and on the same schedule, weather permitting, on Sunday.

The COAST bus route to the County Complex will be available Monday and Tuesday. Upon closing, transportation coordination will be provided via COAST bus passes and shuttle service to local community service partner agencies.

Jennison also noted that there will be training for shelter volunteers on Wednesday night at the Strafford County Courthouse at 8:30. She said no preregistration is needed and volunteers looking to be trained can just show up.

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