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By Pete McIntyre

Groups partner to open more winter shelter spaces

Jan 14, 2020 | 11:10 AM

More homeless residents will be able to get out of the cold thanks to a partnership between local social agencies.

Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS) is working with Canadian Mental Health Association -Vernon to expand the temporary winter shelter program by seven spaces.

The extra spaces will be available starting tonight and continuing until the end of the current cold snap.

“One of the barriers we faced in opening more shelter space was staff,” said Turning Points Co-Executive Director Kelly Fehr. “Partnering with CMHA-Vernon addresses the staffing shortage and allows us to open the available space to those who need to come in from the cold.”

It brings the number of temporary winter spaces in the city to 32, and a total of 118 spaces at the three shelters the society operates.

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“The strength of our community truly lies in our willingness to work together to help those in need,” CMHA-Vernon branch executive director Julia Payson said. “We have always had a strong relationship with Turning Points, and this partnership, at this critical time of need in our community demonstrates perfectly that relationship.”

According to society staff, there is an increased need in Vernon for certain services like shelter space since the latest winter storm hit.

Over the past week, Turning Points opened 13 additional spaces at the temporary winter shelter bringing the total spaces available in the program to 32.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and if the need for certain services again arises, we are confident that thanks to strong community partnerships like the one we have with CMHA-Vernon, we will be able to find a solution that saves lives,” Fehr added.

The temporary winter shelter is located at 2800 33rd Street.

by Pete McIntyre
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