San Jose advocates help unhoused as freezing temperatures arrive

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- With dropping temperatures in San Jose, the elements can be dangerous. On Thursday night, ABC7 News followed two organizations, Unhoused Response Group and GRACE, as they handed out cold-weather gear at different homeless encampments.

Robert Gilman knows what it's like to be unhoused during the winter.

"I'm from Guadalupe, Columbus Park previously. I have some jackets and stuff like that. I just want to know what your sizes were," Gilman said.

Vans were loaded with blankets, thermals, hygiene kits, and hot chocolate. Organizer Shaunn Cartwright showed us a box of foot warmers.

"They're great, you just tape it to the bottom of your socks, and it will keep you nice and warm inside your shoes or outside your shoes," Cartwright said.

MORE: Santa Clara County sees decline in unhoused deaths for second year in a row

The longtime advocate said it doesn't take much to help.

"It's up to us to prevent people from dying," Cartright said.

Just over one week into the new year, Santa Clara County medical examiner data shows hypothermia has contributed to one death.

Derek Smith said he's been homeless for almost ten years.

"Lonely and cold, and I try to just think myself to sleep. It warms my heart to the core that they take their free time to come out here," Smith said.

In San Jose, HomeFirst operates two overnight warming centers. Each location can fit 35 beds that are full with a waiting list. But their chief operating officer said no one will be turned away.

"We operate the largest shelter in Santa Clara County as well as multiple sites. What we do is we assess the need and then we ensure that that person, if there's not space available where they show up, that they have transportation to a site that can accommodate them to ensure safety of all," Bea Ramos said.

MORE: Formerly unhoused San Jose Columbus Park residents adjusting to restrictions in new home

Cartwright doesn't think that's enough overnight places to go.

"It's a shame that the city of San Jose only supports having only two warming locations, in a city this big, we are not some tiny hole in the wall," Cartwright said.

As for Gilman, he'll be back out on Friday morning, passing out jackets and other items to help keep others warm.

"It's all very stressful because I know people are freezing and I'm warm and it makes me feel bad," Gilman said.

Charles Harris, Senior Public Information Officer with the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Management, said the county has eight warming centers. All countywide libraries.

Harris recommends calling or going in person to check in on older or vulnerable family members.

As well as signing up for AlertSCC.

"So making sure that you are signing up for this free platform ensures that community members are engaged and that they understand anything that could be happening in that area. So that could be anything from inclement weather to an active shooter to flooding," Harris said.

If you'd like to help donate or purchase cold weather gear for Unhoused Response Group, visit their Facebook page or click on the link for their Amazon wish list.