SPRINGFIELD — Last winter, the 25 beds at an overflow shelter at Wesley United Methodist Church were often full.

This year, it’s doubling its capacity. The space, run by the Urban Impact Initiative, opened on Monday evening ahead of the season’s first big snow storm.

“We’re really happy to be able to expand and provide the service,” said Jynai McDonald, founding CEO of the initiative.

On Tuesday afternoon as it snowed, McDonald already had received calls from social workers and community members asking about the shelter.

It’s supported by about $420,000 from the state and $377,000 from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to Geraldine McCafferty, the city’s housing director.

Some of the city funds are going toward repairing the heating system in the church gym, which i

See Full Page