WESTCHESTER, Calif. – When wet weather poured into Southern California one Westchester Senior Center turned into an emergency winter shelter with 54 cots providing a bed for homeless people to get out of the rain.

Getting soaked in the pouring rain is the last thing Peter Thompson wanted, but it’s a hardship he faces because he is homeless.

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“When I’m cold and hungry that’s when I’m, that’s when my mind is capable of anything,” Thompson said.

These days, Thompson has been calling a Venice alley home - as he struggles with his addiction to methamphetamines. But as the rain soaked city streets Wednesday, Thompson accepted help from Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Homeless Outreach workers and found shelter at the Westchester Senior Center.

“They started talking to people around me and when they were about ready to go and I said so let me get this right. You’re here to pick us up and take us to a homeless shelter right now, right this second? I said ok. I’ll go. Because I have nothing. This is it,” Thompson said.

Currently, the shelter has room to provide 54 beds, meals, clothing, and case management services for the homeless in the area. According to the Los Angeles Housing Authority, more than 1,200 beds are available throughout L.A. County as rainy weather continues to pour into Southern California. Thompson said escaping wet weather with a place to sleep and stay dry is helping him think clearly.

“It keeps me from doing a hospital stay. That was going to be my next option. You know get off the street go get something to eat and go to the hospital,” Thompson said.

Each cot comes with a blanket to help keep individuals like Thompson warm and stay as dry and comfortable as they can. But, the storm reminds Thompson about the struggles he faces with homelessness and hopes that one day, he’ll get his life back on track.

The Westchester Senior Center is in need of donations for the homeless. Clothing, bottled water, and hygiene can be donated directly on site.

Available Winter Shelters:

  • Weingart (males only): 566 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles: 32 beds: Open Nov. 26 
  • Home At Last: 5171 S. Vermont St., Los Angeles: 49 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Home At Last: 5100 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles: 12 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Home At Last: 5108 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles: 48 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Home At Last: 5500 S. Hoover Ave., Los Angeles: 60 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Hope of the Valley Greater Baptist Missionary Church: 11067 Norris Ave., Pacoima: 134 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Volunteers of America Los Angeles Basset Park Gym: 510 Vineland Ave., La Puente: 100 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Volunteers of America Los Angeles (Women Only) Steinmetz Park Community Center: 1545 S. Stimson Ave Hacienda Heights: 30 beds: Open Nov. 27
  • First to Serve (Transportation will be provided from West LA at Venice Boardwalk) Athens Park Gymnasium: 12603 S. Broadway Los Angeles: 100 beds: Open Nov. 27 
  • Salvation Army: 5941 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles: 30 beds: Open Nov. 29 
  • Bryant Temple AME (Women only): 2514 W. Vernon Ave., Los Angeles: 40 beds: Open Nov. 29

Augmented Winter Shelter Sites – Open Today through Saturday 7 a.m. (All Walk-Ups)

  • Volunteers of America Los Angeles Pamela Park: 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte: 100 beds: Open 5 p.m.
  • First to Serve Echo Park Community Center: 313 Patton St, Los Angeles: 100 beds: Open 7 a.m.
  • First to Serve Glassel Recreational Center: 3650 Verdugo Rd, Los Angeles: 100 beds: Open 7 a.m.
  • Home at Last Westchester Senior Center: 8740 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles: 51 beds: Open 7 a.m.
  • First to Serve Oakwood Recreational Center: 767 California Ave Venice: 100 beds: Open 3 p.m.
  • First to Serve Central Recreational Center: 1357 E. 22nd St., Los Angeles: 100 beds: Open 7 a.m.