(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

day spaces

Kamloops lacking day spaces as temperatures drop

Oct 28, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – With the loss of two day spaces that served more than 200 people, along with emergency shelter spaces on the North Shore, some Kamloops shelter operators are concerned about what dropping temperatures will mean for those living on the street.

The closures of The Loop – which served about 60 people daily — and The Mustard Seed’s Drop-in program – which saw about 150 drop-ins a day — mean warming spaces are few and far between.

“We are really at a bit of a crisis moment of being able to best provide support to our most vulnerable in the community. Even with shelters kind of stretching their ability to take on extra beds, it still won’t be enough beds to support the amount of folks that we have currently unhoused in Kamloops,” explained Renee Stein, executive director of Out Of The Cold.

“When you look at our available bed spaces, we have fewer than 200 beds to support around 400 unique individuals in Kamloops, so we’re really only meeting half of that need.”

The Tattle of Hastings

THE TATTLE OF HASTINGS: Athletic therapist Kuresh talks trailblazing in the WHL, NHL dreams

Nov 20, 2024

Question of the Week

Have you made changes to your holiday shopping or travel plans because of rising costs?

Nov 18, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The icon who is Taylor Swift

Nov 17, 2024

The Out Of The Cold Shelter originally operated at the former Stuart Wood School as a cold weather shelter but switched to run year-round to meet the needs of Kamloops.

Stein says the shelter will be offering a nightly warming space between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., but like with all operators in the city, Stein says the demand outnumbers capacity.

“[From 8:30-10 p.m.] we welcome anybody in to have a meal, get donations, etc. and then we will physically call around to the other shelters to try and utilize every single bed to its top capacity in Kamloops,” said Stein.

“Unfortunately, that still leaves a good amount of folks who do not have anywhere to go. When the temperatures drop significantly, Out Of The Cold will be offering warming centres throughout the night, but that is temperature dependent.”

Stein hopes to see micro-day spaces open up this season. She says opening small day spaces around the city would reduce overpopulation at specific day spaces as well as meet the needs of people looking to get out of the cold.