CINCINNATI, Ohio — Shauntez Thomason is one of hundreds of unhoused people you might find on the streets of downtown Cincinnati. 

He is braving the icy weather and piles of snow following the recent winter storm that hit several counties in the tri-state area. 

“When the snow hit, there weren’t a lot of businesses or programs open. I was out here just walking the streets,” Thomas said.  

That’s where the City of Cincinnati stepped in and activated an emergency cold weather shelter at the Over-The-Rhine Recreation Center. 

“This is my second time coming here. It’s my first time being in this situation where I had to come,” Thomason.  

People coming through the doors had access to free food, cold weather essentials like hats and blankets, transportation and behavioral health services if needed. 

 “The community is very appreciative of these services. They’re very thankful for being inside on a day like today,” Cincinnati Recreation Commission Assistant Director Dave Harris said.  

Harris said the OTR community stands as a hub for these services as there’s a large presence of unhoused people in that neighborhood. 

“Thankfully, we opened, and we served over 200 people yesterday. We anticipate serving 200 people throughout the rest of the week,” Harris said. 

Even with the odds seemingly stacked against him, Thomason still finds a way to pay it forward. 

“I helped three cars that were stuck yesterday. I don’t even have a place to live, but I feel like if I see somebody out there in need, I must step in,” Thomason said.  

He said he will continue to put good out into the world because life is unpredictable. 

“I’m not saying that anybody could be in this situation, but anybody really could be in this situation,” Thomason said.  

The Over-The-Rhine Recreation Center’s hours have expanded, operating more than 12 hours daily while serving as an emergency shelter. 

Hours of operation are 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.