St. Ben’s Winter Warming Center expands to 24-hour operations in Milwaukee through January 25
Extended hours aimed at reducing cold exposure during a high-risk period
St. Ben’s Winter Warming Center in downtown Milwaukee is operating around the clock through Jan. 25, expanding beyond its typical overnight schedule to provide continuous indoor refuge during a period of dangerous winter conditions. The site is located at 930 W. State St. and serves adults seeking a warm place to stay when temperatures and wind chills make remaining outdoors life-threatening.
The warming center is part of Milwaukee’s broader cold-weather response network, which includes multiple overnight sites operating through the winter season. In Milwaukee, seasonal warming shelters generally open in the evening and close in the morning, with expanded hours sometimes added during extreme cold. St. Ben’s temporary shift to 24-hour service reflects those emergency practices and is designed to reduce the need for people to cycle back outside during daytime hours.
Capacity, safety screening, and basic services
St. Ben’s Winter Warming Center is operated by Capuchin Community Services and is described as the largest seasonal warming center in Milwaukee. The center provides separate sleeping areas for men and women and has space for 50 men and 20 women. Guests are offered a safe place indoors and access to basic hospitality such as refreshments. The site also uses security screening, including a metal detector, and prohibits weapons to help maintain safety for guests and staff.
Location: 930 W. State St., Milwaukee
Phone: 414-271-0135
Seasonal operations: open during winter months, typically December through late March
How the 24-hour operation fits into the city’s winter shelter system
Milwaukee’s winter warming locations collectively provide overnight stays and connections to longer-term support. Under normal operations at multiple sites, intake often occurs in the evening and guests stay overnight until morning. During severe cold, extended hours reduce barriers for people who might otherwise be forced outdoors between overnight shelter windows.
City and county resources also direct residents to Coordinated Entry for ongoing housing assistance and emergency navigation. Coordinated Entry can be reached 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1, including options for texting through TXT-211, and is used to connect people to shelter availability and longer-term housing pathways.
Warming centers are intended to prevent cold-related injury and death by providing immediate indoor shelter during extreme winter weather.
What residents should know
Individuals who need immediate relief from the cold can go directly to St. Ben’s during the 24-hour period through Jan. 25. People assisting someone outdoors are encouraged to prioritize quick relocation to an indoor site and to use 2-1-1 for guidance on available options and next steps beyond short-term warming.
For transportation planning, St. Ben’s is served by Milwaukee County Transit System routes including 31, 12, 34, 80, 33, 30, the Blue Line, and the Connect 1 Bus Rapid Transit line.