File photo / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WOMEN'S SAFETY DURING COVID-19

Kamloops Y Emergency Women’s Shelter managing support needs during pandemic

May 6, 2020 | 4:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Y Emergency Women’s Shelter has been busy during the COVID-19 pandemic — offering support and safe spaces for women and children leaving unsafe living situations.

Since the start of the pandemic, the shelter says it has seen an ebb and flow of people needing a place to stay.

Shelter General Manager Michele Walker says during full periods, they have been able to send people to alternative rooms in different support buildings. She notes that they haven’t had to turn people away since their various partners, including the B.C government, have provided spaces in other buildings in the city.

Walker notes that for those staying in the shelter, they have found ways to ensure physical distancing can occur to protect against virus spread.

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“We have had families that have been concerned around immuno-compromised family members, and we’ve been able to safely shelter them here,” she says. “We really want people to know that and not be afraid to reach out for help because you’re afraid of what the situation looks like as far as COVID-19 is concerned.”

Similar to the stress felt during and after wildfire seasons, or other crisis periods, Walker says they expect long term impacts from COVID-19 to surface several months from now.

“The stresses from COVID are well documented at this point, so we’re just layering stress upon stress upon stress for women experiencing violence, for those who are marginalized, those experiencing poverty, so it just adds to those levels of stress.”

If someone needs help navigating their own situation, or helping a loved one they feel is unsafe, the Y Women’s Shelter offers support over the phone, or through email.

Phone: 250-320-6162

Text: 250-682-7931

Email: shelter@kamloopsy.ca