Staff at the CMHA warming centre on Wallace St. in downtown Nanaimo, which offers access to their services on the weekends. (submitted photo/Kiersten Stewart)

By Jordan Davidson

staying warm

CMHA picking up warming centre slack in downtown Nanaimo

Jan 26, 2022 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — As one warming centre faces an uncertain future, another is back up and running.

The Canadian Mental Health Association Mid-Island branch took over operations of the centre back in December 2021, following the closure one run by the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy (SEIA) after allegations of theft from an employee.

Program director Kiersten Stewart said they recognized the vital importance of the warming centre in Nanaimo and stepped up to help fill the need.

“We don’t have a lot of options for people who are living on the street to find options during the day, so we said if someone needs to step in we would absolutely do that.”

The CMHA is using money from the Federal Reaching Home fund, administered through the United Way in order to run the facility, located in the same Wallace St. building as SEIA’s site.

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Stewart said clients are thrilled the centre is still in operation after being closed for about two weeks, especially since they are now open seven days a week.

“They seem quite comfortable with the new staff, they are very appreciative that it hasn’t changed too much. They are certainly happy about the extended days and extended hours, because we don’t close for lunch, we keep it open 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.”

Clients are welcome to stop in, warm-up, and have a rest while their stuff can be stored securely on-site while they are there. Those

Those accessing the warming centre can still use some of SEIA’s services, such as donations of clothing.

“We also have access to dryers and we also got a new toy, it’s a boot warmer, so they can hook up these tubes of hot air to stick in their boots and warm them up and dry them out from the inside.”

The warming centre will be open until at least the end of February, but Stewart says they’ll keep it open longer if more federal funds become available.

A second warming centre, run by the Risebridge group, was forced to move from its Terminal Ave. location after what organizers said were complaints from neighbouring businesses.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow