Kamloops’ homeless seeking shelter from cold and mild weather

Out of the Cold Board Chair, Bud Forbes said the needs of the community are great.

“There’s a huge number of homeless, we did the homeless count in October that said there was 107 on the street,” Forbes said. “I think it’s way more than 107. When you look at the number that stay here, the number that are at Emerald Centre, plus the extreme weather shelter at New Life, there’s way more than 107 people.”

New Life Community works with the Emerald Centre to provide an escape from the cold. Executive Director Stan Dueck said demand was high during last week’s cold snap.

“I think we were full most nights,” Dueck said. “I think it was between 22 and 25 (people). We have 25 mattresses and that pretty much fills the room, and it is a partnership with the Emerald Shelter and we were just so happy to be able to do that. I mean, it was really cold outside.”

While Kamloops is seeing much milder temperatures this week, life on the streets is not likely to be any easier.

The slushy, wet weather can actually be harder on the homeless than the extreme cold.

“They walk all day, most of these people,” Forbes said. “Their feet get wet, their clothes get wet, they’re damp, they just can’t get warm. When it’s -20°C, it’s totally dry. They bundle up, they’ve got lots of sleeping bags, and comforters, and blankets and everything, and they have their tents with the tarp over them, and they don’t have any trouble keeping warm when it’s -20°C.”

Fortunately for the Out of the Cold program, the community has been generous in supplying clothing items to help the homeless weather the slushy days.

With more mild days in the forecast, a dry pair of socks and a clean bed could make a world of difference for those living on the streets.

by Jill Sperling

Kamloops’ homeless seeking shelter from cold and mild weather

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