Warming shelter at Safe Harbour opens Wednesday

November 1 is a big day at Red Deer’s Safe Harbour Society.
 
The centre’s winter warming shelter will open for a third season, welcoming the city’s homeless indoors during what is sure to be a cold several months.
 
Kath Hoffman says while the space is one to find warmth in, it actually offers something else of equal importance.
 
“Once they’re in the warming centre, we have staff there who are ready, willing and able to help refer them to any kind of resources theyre looking for,” she says. “It’s a good link and opportunity to connect with people. It’s great.”
 
Last year, between 60 and 100 people visited the warming shelter daily, and similar numbers are anticipated for the 2017-18 season. The shelter is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The doors will close again April 30.

Hoffman adds anyone who’d like to make donations of things like snacks including buns, cheez whiz or peanut butter can head to www.SafeHarbourSociety.org to see what is currrently needed.

“We see that snow and we get mindful right away just to make sure everybody’s got a place to be,” Hoffman added.
 
Last July, Red Deer city council gave approval for Safe Harbour to operate the warming shelter for two more years. The original proposal was for three years.
 
It is anticipated that at some point, the province will provide funding for a permanent purpose-built facility. The City is currently undergoing a shelter study.