A temporary warming tent in Nanaimo's downtown was setup early Tuesday afternoon in a bid to substitute services lost, at least temporarily, from neighbouring SEIA. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CRITICAL SERVICES

Substitute, temporary warming space established after issues at Nanaimo non-profit

Dec 7, 2021 | 1:06 PM

NANAIMO — The city’s only warming centre for those living on the streets has closed less than a week after it opened.

The Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy (SEIA)’s facility was closed Monday, Dec. 6, however volunteers had re-opened their Wallace St. location on Tuesday morning to hand out goods to those in need, but were not letting anyone inside.

The closure and apparent suspension of services prevents access to Nanaimo’s only warming centre for those living rough and is forcing others to pick up the slack

“With SEIA closing its doors, we are of course quite concerned that the most vulnerable population don’t currently have any support or resources and really anywhere to get that warmth, compassion or be able to pick up jackets or toques,” Jovan Johnson of the Rise Bridge Project told NanaimoNewsNOW.

She’s helping lead an effort to establish a warming tent to, at least temporarily, offset the loss of SEIA’s warming centre.

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They’re hoping to set up a warming tent in the downtown every day this week, but conceded they’ll be up against city bylaw who may ask them to move along.

“We know they recognize the need for this to happen but our City doesn’t have the best relationship or history as far as servicing for our most vulnerable in community,” Johnson said. “We’re really hoping just until the warming centre can be back open, the City will allow us to support the community in the way it currently needs.

On Tuesday, the warming tent began to setup in the noon hour nearby SEIA’s location at the corner of Albert St. and Victoria Cres.

Johnson said several groups have come together in order to provide a spot to hand out winter essentials and provide respite from the cooler weather.

They’re putting a call out for any donations of winter gear, tarps, propane for heaters at the tent and hand warmers.

“I love this community and the power, compassion we actually have in Nanaimo. There’s many of us coming together…just to be able to answer those emergency needs.”

Board members for SEIA were in meetings Tuesday morning and multiple requests for comment were not returned.

A post on SEIA’s Facebook page from Friday, Dec. 3 indicated the group was no longer accepting donations “due to events beyond SEIA staff control.”

The offices for the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy re-opened Tuesday, Nov. 7 however clients were not allowed inside. Volunteers instead handed items out through the front door. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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