Though they were unable to open an Emergency Weather Shelter to help people living outside escape the snow last night (Nov. 29), the City of Campbell River and Coalition to End Homelessness will be providing a warming center tonight.
As temperatures are forecast to drop below zero overnight between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the City of Campbell River and the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness will be activating a warming centre at the Community Centre between 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, and 7 a.m. the next morning.
“During winter storm events, a warming centre provides people experiencing homelessness or those living outdoors during extreme weather the shelter that they need,” said Mayor Kermit Dahl. “Thank you once again to the community for your patience as we adjust programming at the Community Centre to provide warmth and shelter during this winter storm.”
The centre will be staffed with people experienced in working with people living outdoors in order to provide proper support. The city has also activated an Emergency Operations Centre to help support the warming centre.
The city also received approval for a warming centre or emergency weather shelter on Tuesday night, but the city and coalition were unable to find staff and volunteers to open it.
The Evergreen Shelter did have ability and staff to accept people who made their way to that location. Salvation Army Supportive Housing Services Manager said that 12 people came in from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. and slept on chairs or the floor. The Salvation Army also provided a hot meal at night and laundry services. That location is not sufficient to act as a permanent shelter, however.
“We could not do it more than one night, but felt compelled to do what we could,” Moen said.
Groups with private community centre bookings will be contacted by the city if the warming centre will affect their programming.
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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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