Local warming centres prepare for freezing temperatures in new year

At the First Pilgrim United Church in downtown Hamilton, a warming centre operates overnight.

The centre is operated by The Hub and it focuses on those who do not have a safe space to go after being discharged from the hospital.

“Most of our folks are coming from the hospital, but we also understand that there are folks who are living outside and who maybe just want to get warm for a minute,” says Jen Bonner, the executive director and co-founder of The Hub.

“Maybe they need a warm coffee, they need a warm pair of gloves or they just want to come in and say ‘hey, I’m out here, I need to see a doctor tomorrow, is there someone you can connect me with?'”

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This specific initiative downtown is a partnership between hospitals in Hamilton, the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, The Hub and the Greater Hamilton Health Network.

It provides a valuable opportunity for students in health care, policing and social work to work with one another and train directly with the community members they will serve in the field.

“I’m able to better understand people experiencing homelessness, what they go through and how I can help them better. So if I were to be in a policing role I might be able to have a different perspective then what is typical,” says Jaelyn St. Lewis, shift lead at The Hub.

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Overnight & evening warming spaces in Hamilton

• Mission Services Night Link: 196 Wentworth St. N, Door 8. Open seven days a week from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. for people of all genders.
• St. Matt’s at St. Paul’s Coach House: 70 James St. S. Open seven days a week from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. for men and those who identify as men.
• Mission Services Willow’s Place: 196 Wentworth St. N. Open seven days a week from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. for women and gender diverse individuals.
• YWCA Carole Anne’s Place (CAP): 75 MacNab St. S. Open seven says a week from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. for women and gender diverse individuals.
• First Pilgrim United Church: 200 Main St. E. Open seven days a week from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. regardless of temperature.

The City of Hamilton also considers recreation spaces and public libraries as warming centres during their operating hours. These spaces are available for daytime warming needs.

READ MORE: The Hub to provide overnight warming space for unhoused Hamilton hospital patients