Code Blue Works: Valley Code Blue Shelter Serves Community Over 88 Code Blue Nights

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The Open Link and the Upper Perkiomen Homelessness Coalition are thrilled to share the Upper Perkiomen Code Blue Shelter Impact Report for the 2025-2026 season.

The shelter, located at Pennsburg United Church of Christ, returned for its second season in November 2025. This season, the shelter served 14 unique individuals between November and May, doubling the 7 served during the 2024-2025 season. Despite this increase, several of last year’s shelter guests did not return because they obtained stable housing before the most recent Code Blue season.

While Montgomery County declared an official county-wide Code Blue 112 nights, the shelter was open for 88 nights, or 79% of declaration nights. Facing harsh weather within these declarations, there were 3 continuous Code Blue periods, with the longest lasting from January 11 to February 17. The shelter hoped to be open for every Code Blue declaration, but sometimes needed additional volunteers to do so.

During shelter nights, guests ate meals prepared by local organizations, enjoyed a warm and safe place to sleep and shower, and were informed of The Open Link’s variety of programs and services, including its food pantry, benefits application assistance program, and financial assistance. Each night, Valley shelter guests and volunteers fostered an environment of support, community, and respect. Across the entirety of Montgomery County, law enforcement or medical intervention was required for less than 1% of Code Blue guests all season.

The Open Link and the Upper Perkiomen Homelessness Coalition would like to thank the 86 unique volunteers who served at the shelter this winter and the 25+ community partners who gave time, funding, dinners, and supplies to the shelter, including New Goshenhoppen Church, Red Hill Christian School, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Red Hill Fire Company Social Club, and St. Philip Neri. The Valley community’s support made this season possible.

The shelter plans to return for its third season beginning in November 2026. For more information regarding the shelter and updates regarding the 2026-2027 season, including volunteer opportunities, visit theopenlink.org.