Waterloo Region’s two overnight warming centres will open on Saturday for the first time this season. “People can come in, maybe grab a shower, brush their teeth, grab a hot meal, sit down and decompress,” explained Eric Philip, the CEO of Thresholds Homes and Supports, the agency that runs the centre. While the site at 298 Lawrence Avenue in Kitchener is primarily for men, the goal is to welcome everyone who walks through the door. “We’ll never be in a position to turn someone away,” Philip insisted. “I’ve committed to that.” In Cambridge, the overnight warming centre is in the basement of Wesley United Church, next to city hall, at 6 Cambridge Street. It has room for about 30 men. Both locations opened midway through last winter, but the response was immediate. “Most night we were at – or over – capacity,” explained Cameron Dearlove, the executive director of Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services, which runs the Cambridge site. “There was a really great community and culture that was built here. We’re hoping to see that happen again this year.” The warming centre in Kitchener will open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., including holidays, until the spring, while the centre in Cambridge is open from 8:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Helping the homeless community According to a 2024 point in time report, there were more than 2,300 people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region. That far exceeded the number of available shelter spaces. “Adding 30 [beds] here sometimes feels like a bit of a drop in the bucket, but we’re doing what we can do,” said Dearlove. The Cambridge warming centre accepts donations of food, as well as new or gently used winter clothing and blankets. The site in Kitchener, meanwhile, invites restaurants or caterers to donate unused meals. Some have already committed to helping out. “If anybody has some extra food or extra soups, that they want to come in and support some really, amazing people and be a part of a very cool program, we would love to hear from you,” Philip said. In addition to providing shelter and sustenance, the sites also connect people to support services. “Ideally, we make a connection that people can come back to,” said Philip. “It’s like, ‘I trust that space. I trust those people. I’m ready to start talking about, hopefully, a shift in housing.’” “Hopefully, it’s a bit of a haven,” Dearlove explained. “A place where people can really feel safe and comfortable.” Regional shelters The region also has dedicated overnight spaces for women and gender diverse individuals. Both the Frederick Street Shelter in Kitchener and YWCA Cambridge Emergency Shelter for Women, at Grace Bible Church, opened earlier this year. More information on the overnight warming centres and emergency shelters can be found on the region’s website.
