As British Columbians enjoy the holiday festivities from the comfort of home, many are stuck roaming the streets unprotected from the unpredictable winter weather.
The Salvation Army in Campbell River is stepping up to help, after its supportive housing manager, Sue Moen, issued an extreme weather alert this past Monday, December 14th.
With the alert comes funding from BC Housing, and now the Salvation Army is able to offer ten additional mats at its Extreme Weather Shelter at 690 Evergreen Road. This is on top of the existing beds at its emergency shelter located right next door.
“Every year, BC Housing funds a number of extreme weather beds between November and the end of March,” says Moen. “This year, the Salvation Army is again offering an Extreme Weather Response.”
The Extreme Weather Response program is provincially funded and supports community-based services to provide additional temporary emergency shelter spaces during periods of extreme winter weather.
As we get into the rainy season, the wind ramps up and temperatures often hit below five degrees, Moen says the community was in dire need of a place where people experiencing homelessness could keep dry, clean and warm, “even if it’s not horrible, horrible out.”
Now that the program is activated and the doors have opened, the mats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis every night. Moen says staff and people can come in starting at 7:00 pm and stay until the following morning.
In addition to warm dry beds, laundry facilities, and showers, the shelter also offers a hot dinner and a cold breakfast. The goal is to keep it open full-time until March of 2021, but according to Moen, “nothing is guaranteed.”
“We are a member of the Coalition To End Homelessness,” Moen says, “and we recognize that this is a small piece of the solution for the people living outside without shelter, especially over the winter.”
She says the Salvation Army in Campbell River is sending thanks to BC Housing for the funding, and adds that staff are now looking to find longer-term solutions.
To find the Extreme Weather Shelter on Google Maps, click here.
