Since being approved for a $20,000 grant from the city, the West 麻豆精选 Shelter Society has been able to continue its seven days a week meal program for lower income community members.
READ MORE: West 麻豆精选 Council writes cheque for West 麻豆精选 Shelter Society
鈥淥n the Westside this is the only shelter available and the only outreach program for people living in poverty. Not everyone is living in the shelter. Many people are living in a home with other people in poverty. Our outreach program provides for people in those situations as well,鈥� says Rosemary Weighill, President of the West 麻豆精选 Shelter Society.
Andrea Fransen, is a client of the shelter society who uses the meal programs on a daily basis. She says, without the support of the society she would still be homeless.
鈥淚 come here everyday for lunch, I like the resources, I like that they open their doors to the homeless. I was homeless before I stayed at Inn from the Cold in 麻豆精选.鈥�
According to Weighhill, discussions around the need for a transition house have taken place with the local municipality, but the resources needed aren鈥檛 available.
READ MORE: West 麻豆精选 homeless out in the cold after shelter runs at max capacity
鈥淲hat we would really like to see on the Westside is some bridge housing, transitional, or support homes for people. I know this is something the local government is working on, there鈥檚 just nothing available yet.鈥�
The shelter is working on building community engagement, understanding and education programs for the public.
The overdose reduction site is one of the programs working well, but needs more community education, says Weighill.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a slower process, our priority was to get people out of the cold and off the streets, and safe and housed and now we will work on the community.鈥�
The shelters 38 beds have been full since January.
@LarynGilmour
laryn.gilmour@blackpress.ca
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