How Friends of Guest House Prepares for a DC Snowstorm (and Keeps the Warmth Going All Weekend Long)
When most people in the Metro Washington DC area hear “snowstorm,” they think of grocery store runs, cancelled plans, and hoping the power stays on.
At Friends of Guest House, we think of something else entirely: How do we keep our residents safe, supported, and feeling cared for – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – no matter what the weather brings?
Because snow days don’t pause reentry. Support doesn’t take a snow day. And our residents, women rebuilding their lives after incarceration, deserve stability, especially when the world outside gets chaotic.
Step One: A Snowstorm Game Plan (and a Whole Lot of Coordination)
Guest House operates two residential homes, which means our first priority is ensuring round-the-clock staffing coverage. With snow in the forecast, our Operations and Case Management teams spring into action days beforehand:
Confirming who can walk, take transit, or safely drive in
Arranging overnight accommodations in the homes for staff if needed
Building backup staffing plans, because safety comes first for everyone
This is the kind of invisible, essential planning that ensures our residents never experience disruption in support, supervision, or care.
Step Two: Snacks, Snacks, and… Did We Mention Snacks?
If the forecast says the region will be snowed in, we know exactly what will happen:
Our residents will be home all day, with lots of time to fill.
So we stock up! Staff load the homes with:
Extra snacks
Easy lunches
Movie-day treats
Because yes, reentry work is serious, but joy matters too. A little comfort goes a long way.
Step Three: Snow Day Programming That Feels Good and Does Good
A full day indoors can feel long, especially for women in the midst of major life transitions. That’s why our program team is mapping out snow-day-friendly activities designed to keep spirits high and minds engaged.
Some of the planned highlights:
Guided journaling and reflection prompts
Arts and crafts hours (creative expression = healing!)
Cozy movie nights complete with popcorn
Peer-support circles for connection and encouragement
And staff stay onsite to ensure every resident feels supported emotionally, mentally, and practically.
Why It Matters
Running a 24/7 reentry program means showing up every day, sun, rain, or snow.
It means anticipating needs before they happen.
It means making sure the women we serve never feel alone in navigating life after incarceration.
Snowstorms may slow down the city, but at Friends of Guest House, they simply remind us why our work is so essential: stability, safety, and compassion are not weather-dependent.
And honestly? There’s something beautiful about watching our houses fill with laughter, warm food, shared stories, and soft blankets while the world outside goes quiet under falling snow.