It’s been a bitterly cold winter so far, but for some of Stratford’s most vulnerable people, there is a new lifeline to stay warm. The city’s first overnight warming centre opened in December. Previously, people relied on a motel system that offered temporary shelter spaces. Others were forced to brave the elements. “I think we had 10 people our first night, and it’s just steadily grown from there,” Sara McIntyre-Roy, team lead and resource manager at the Stratford Warming Centre, said. Staff said the number of nightly visitors is now closer to 25 as a persistent cold snap continues. “A lot of individuals that we support would access the emergency room or would be spending time in areas of the city that aren’t appropriate or aren’t habitable in order to try to keep themselves safe and warm overnight,” McIntyre-Roy explained. The warming centre at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Duoro Street works in tandem with the Connection Centre located at the same address. People can meet with outreach workers during the day and learn how to access support programs and housing. The warming centre is funded by the City of Stratford and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) works as an operating partner. The Connection Centre is funded by the United Way. While there are no beds at the warming centre, and it is not technically a shelter, staff said it is a life-saving service. “Really, the warming centre is about keeping people safe and warming those overnight hours,” Tanya Hefkey, CMHA of Huron Perth’s program manager, said. Hefkey said the goal is to create housing for everyone in need. “We’ve recognized a deep need for supportive housing in this community,” Hefkey said. “It’s being built, but while that’s happening, we realize that there’s work that needs to be done to keep people safe and warm.” The warming centre relies heavily on community support. “Our funding really covers the operating costs of this program and anything that you see in the building has likely been donated by a member of our community or by another organization in the community,” McIntyre-Roy said. The Stratford Council of Churches plans to launch a fundraising campaign later this year to help fun the centre for as long as it is needed.
