New Oakwood Day Center opens in High Point, expands services for people experiencing homelessness

The Oakwood Community Day Center officially opened in early November inside the building that houses Alleluia Ministries International Church at 2018 W. Green Drive in High Point. The center is designed to serve people experiencing homelessness by providing daytime supports and, on certain nights, overnight shelter capacity. Services available include showers, food, clothing, computer access and case management.

Organizers say the center represents years of development that began with outreach to encampments and evolved into a formal day center concept. Local funding and community support were reported as part of the effort to bring the site online. The center plans to coordinate closely with other social service providers as winter approaches, when exposure and cold weather hazards put people without stable housing at greater risk.

Public health experts and service providers generally view access to basic hygiene, nutritious food and case management as essential components of preventing illness and stabilizing chronic conditions among people who are unsheltered. Day center services can reduce barriers to primary and behavioral health care by providing referrals, access to technology for appointments and benefits enrollment, and a trusted entry point for follow up. During cold months, the availability of overnight shelter capacity can prevent hypothermia and related medical emergencies.

For Guilford County residents, the new center has implications both for people seeking help and for the broader community. Individuals experiencing housing instability will have a local site that offers immediate needs and connections to longer term services. Neighborhoods and first responders may see changes in patterns of street homelessness as outreach efforts and coordinated services expand. The center’s emphasis on case management highlights the need for integrated approaches that address housing, health care, income supports and behavioral health simultaneously.

The Oakwood Community Day Center also raises questions about sustainability and policy. Local funding and support helped open the center, but ongoing operation will require continued resources and partnerships across government agencies, health systems and nonprofit organizations. Advocates point to the importance of aligning emergency shelter capacity with permanent housing solutions and accessible health care coverage to address root causes of homelessness and reduce repeated crises.

As winter weather arrives, the center’s coordinated approach offers immediate relief and an entry point to services that can promote long term stability. For residents and policymakers in Guilford County, the opening underscores the importance of sustained investment in community based services that center equity and public health in responses to homelessness. The opening was reported by WGHP on November 10, 2025, and syndicated via Yahoo.