THUNDER BAY — Urban Abbey operates two 20-bed shelters, part of a shelter care group which also includes Shelter House and Grace Place.
“We're part of this really well-coordinated and orchestrated flow chart where people present at shelter house, then they move to Grace Places overflow as their numbers pile up,” said Scotland Morrison, head of staff.
Morrison said the mixed-gender shelter in the south end was at capacity during last weeks cold snap.
He said the Simpson Street location acts as an overflow for when Shelter House and Grace Place are at capacity, but for “women in need, they're often taxied” to their Red River Road women’s shelter because it “allows for a better experience for the women who are coming in. We're able to move them around and the rooms are a little less full.”
Morrison said the women’s shelter averages between 12 and 14 people a night.
The shelter is open from 9 p.m. until 8 a.m.
However, Morrison said that Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m. and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. they offer warm meals.
“It's usually warm soup, bread, free tea, free coffee with space for about 40 to 50 people for that,” said Morrison.
Although these shelters operate overnight, Morrison said he is hearing from those experiencing homelessness that daytime is a problem. “They don't know where they will go during the day.”
“They also experience a lack of transportation options, particularly on the weekends, and they do utilize the library, McDonald's I hear often is like a place where they go,” said Morrison.
“There does need to be, overall, at some point, an increase in day programming spaces, particularly during like the coldest months, and there are amazing organizations already operating in Thunder Bay, but they're at like capacity right now. So, they need help, too."
