A new drop-in warming and cooling centre will run year-round at 55 Victoria Rd. in downtown Nanaimo, offering another outlet for those seeking help to connect with service providers. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

needed service

‘Bring people in, stabilize them:’ new Nanaimo drop-in centre preparing for January opening

Dec 19, 2024 | 4:59 PM

NANAIMO — A new year-round warming and cooling centre is seen as a step forward in recovery and connection for those living on local streets.

A new partnership involving financial backing from the City of Nanaimo to allow Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) and Nanaimo Family Life Association (NFLA) to open a daily drop-in centre at 55 Victoria Rd., was announced Wednesday, Dec. 18 and will see around 20 people at any one time accessing a variety of services.

Violet Hayes, executive director of ICCS, told NanaimoNewsNOW the need for a centre, which will open Jan. 2, 2025, was identified years ago through talks between local organizations and those living rough.

“It was unanimous that they would like a resource centre, where they could come receive supports they need, get warm or cool but also just to be able to take that next step, meet with someone from Island Health or someone that can help them with housing applications.”

A lack of funding forced the project to remain on the wishlist, money from the City of Nanaimo coupled with federal grant money brought the centre to fruition.

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Hayes said four staff members will work during open hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, providing access to not only a clean, dry and comfortable space but also connection to food, basic medical needs and housing support.

Three shelters or temporary housing facilities are operated by ICCS and NFLA.

“With the new HEART and HEARTH program that’s been brought into Nanaimo from BC Housing, this is a really good fit because the access into those temporary units are through the shelter system. This would be a great way to bring people in, stabilize them.”

The goal would be to move centre visitors into shelters, and then into longer-term housing options in the community.

Hayes said they’re aware of concerns from the surrounding public and have already started outreach efforts.

Meetings began last week with various community organizations, while letters will go out to neighbouring businesses and homes over the next week to provide direct contact information for any issues which arise.

“The beauty of this location is that it’s already an area that have a lot of people who are hanging around…so this will give them a place to go. We work closely with the community safety officers and RCMP, so now if they want to move someone along they’ll have somewhere to take them.”

Having a consistent, known location with set operating hours is also a big step forward.

A major challenge reported by several organizations in Nanaimo is attempting to work with people who may not always be aware of what the time is, or what day they’re supposed to be somewhere.

“If you tell someone you’re going to meet them down the road at such-and-such cafe, they might not get there. But if this is the place they’re familiar with and they’re comfortable with the staff, they’ve built those relationships, that’s when we see that change happening.”

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