Malden Warming Center Guest Experience

MWC is operated totally by volunteers who work together to practice hospitality dedicated to creating a warm welcoming place for individuals experiencing homelessness during the harsh New England winters.

MWC provides a full dinner, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juices, and breakfast to our guests every day. Snacks and drinks are also available throughout the night.

MWC strives to provide a warm safe place during the harshest winter months. We are dedicated to doing all we can to ensure a place that is secure, positive, and welcoming.

Thanks to generous donations from our communities, MWC has winterwear, warm clothing, and personal care items available nightly for our guests.

Check Out MWC Guest Agreement

Guest Daily Schedule

Activity	Description	Start Time	End Time
Welcome	Obtain a number card from MWC security officer to secure a spot and wait in the parking lot shelter area until 7pm.	4:30pm	7:00pm
Check-In	Guests are called by number from tent to the door. Say your name, put unsearched items in tied bags, & be screened. New guests must sign agreement.	7:00pm	7:30pm
Dinner	Receive a full dinner and additional drinks and snacks by request.	7:30pm	8:30pm
Quiet Time	Be quiet and limit volume to be respectful for other guests.	11:00pm	6:00am
Breakfast	Take a breakfast bag and receive coffee / tea.	6:30am	7:00am
Check-Out	Receive stored items, unbag personal belongings and ready to leave the center by 7:30am.	7:00am	7:30am
Shuttle	Onboard a free shuttle service to MBTA Malden Center.	7:30am	7:45am

Guest Daily Schedule

Welcome

4:30pm - 7:00pm

Obtain a number card from MWC security officer to secure a spot and wait in the parking lot shelter area until 7pm.

Check-In

7:00pm - 7:30pm

Guests are called by number from tent to the door. Say your name, put unsearched items in tied bags, & be screened. New guests must sign agreement.

Dinner

7:30pm - 8:30pm

Receive a full dinner and additional drinks and snacks by request.

Quiet Time

11:00pm - 6:00am

Be quiet and limit volume to be respectful for other guests.

Breakfast

6:30am - 7:00am

Take a breakfast bag and receive coffee / tea.

Check-Out

7:00am - 7:30am

Receive stored items, unbag personal belongings and ready to leave the center by 7:30am.

Shuttle

7:30am - 7:45am

Onboard a free shuttle service to MBTA Malden Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect if it is my first time as a guest at the Malden Warming Center?
- A MWC volunteer captures your photo, name, gender, and Latin/ethnicity into the tablet. You will be given our guest agreement to read and sign. Then we will bag and zip tie all items you do not want to be searched and be screened yourself and your one allotted bag before entering the center.
How soon can I come?
- You can arrive at 4:30pm and stay in parking lot shelter area until 7pm when the center opens. If you leave the parking lot and do not return by 7pm, you may lose your spot.
Can I call ahead and reserve a spot?
- First come, first serve - MWC does not maintain a waitlist. You can also call after 7pm to check if we still have vacant spots for that evening.
What if I arrive physically impaired due to the influence of alcohol and/or drugs?
- You will not be allowed to enter the center that evening.
What if I have alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs and medication?
- Please either leave it in your unscreened zip-tied/inaccessible plastic bags or store it in our safe at check-in.
Can I bring outside food?
- All food items must be stored in zip-tied plastic bags; refrigeration is not provided.
What if I need an item in the zip-tied plastic bag later that night?
- Contact one of our volunteers who will remove the zip-tie, allow you to access the item, and re-zip tied the plastic bag.
What if I arrive and the center is at capacity (max 25 guests)?
- MWC will still offer you a hot dinner and drink, provide clothing or other supplies per request, and use the restroom.
What services do you offer?
- Charging phone, provide your own personal space with blankets and chairs, food (dinner, breakfast, coffee, snacks), and offer clothing, toiletries, etc.

Malden Warming Center Guest Experience

Guest Daily Schedule

Guest Daily Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect if it is my first time as a guest at the Malden Warming Center?

A MWC volunteer captures your photo, name, gender, and Latin/ethnicity into the tablet. You will be given our guest agreement to read and sign. Then we will bag and zip tie all items you do not want to be searched and be screened yourself and your one allotted bag before entering the center. ​

How soon can I come?​

You can arrive at 4:30pm and stay in parking lot shelter area until 7pm when the center opens.​ If you leave the parking lot and do not return by 7pm, you may lose your spot.

Can I call ahead and reserve a spot?

First come, first serve - MWC does not maintain a waitlist. You can also call after 7pm to check if we still have vacant spots for that evening. ​

What if I arrive physically impaired due to the influence of alcohol and/or drugs?

What if I have alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs and medication?

Please either leave it in your unscreened zip-tied/inaccessible plastic bags or store it in our safe at check-in.

Can I bring outside food?

All food items must be stored in zip-tied plastic bags; refrigeration is not provided.

What if I need an item in the zip-tied plastic bag later that night?

Contact one of our volunteers who will remove the zip-tie, allow you to access the item, and re-zip tied the plastic bag. ​

What if I arrive and the center is at capacity (max 25 guests)?

MWC will still offer you a hot dinner and drink, provide clothing or other supplies per request, and use the restroom.

What services do you offer?

Charging phone, provide your own personal space with blankets and chairs, food (dinner, breakfast, coffee, snacks), and offer clothing, toiletries, etc.

Do you have questions about being a guest at MWC?

A MWC volunteer captures your photo, name, gender, and Latin/ethnicity into the tablet. You will be given our guest agreement to read and sign. Then we will bag and zip tie all items you do not want to be searched and be screened yourself and your one allotted bag before entering the center.

How soon can I come?

You can arrive at 4:30pm and stay in parking lot shelter area until 7pm when the center opens. If you leave the parking lot and do not return by 7pm, you may lose your spot.

First come, first serve - MWC does not maintain a waitlist. You can also call after 7pm to check if we still have vacant spots for that evening.

Contact one of our volunteers who will remove the zip-tie, allow you to access the item, and re-zip tied the plastic bag.